Division of Darling Downs facts for kids

The Division of Darling Downs was an area in Queensland, Australia. People living in this area voted for a person to represent them in the Australian House of Representatives. It was one of the first 75 voting areas created for Australia's very first election in 1901.

This division was named after the Darling Downs region of Queensland. It included the city of Toowoomba and the farms and towns around it.

Important People from Darling Downs

The Division of Darling Downs had some very important members. These were people elected to represent the area in the Australian Parliament.

Sir Littleton Groom

One famous member was Sir Littleton Groom. He was a Cabinet minister, which means he was in charge of a government department. He also became the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker is like the referee in Parliament, making sure rules are followed.

Sir Littleton Groom's father, William Henry Groom, was the very first person elected for Darling Downs in 1901. Sadly, William Henry Groom died that same year. This led to Australia's first ever by-election. A by-election is a special election held when a seat in Parliament becomes empty. Sir Littleton Groom won this by-election and took his father's place.

Arthur Fadden

Another very important member was Arthur Fadden. He became the Prime Minister of Australia in 1941. The Prime Minister is the leader of the Australian government. When he was Prime Minister, he represented the Darling Downs area.

End of the Division

The Division of Darling Downs stopped existing in 1984. Most of its area became part of a new voting division called the Division of Groom. This new division was named after Sir Littleton Groom and his father.