Frank Wilkes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Wilkes
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| Leader of the Opposition of Victoria Elections: 1979 |
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| In office 29 June 1977 – 9 September 1981 |
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| Premier | Rupert Hamer Lindsay Thompson |
| Deputy | Robert Fordham |
| Preceded by | Clyde Holding |
| Succeeded by | John Cain Jr. |
| Leader of the Labor Party in Victoria | |
| In office 29 June 1977 – 9 September 1981 |
|
| Deputy | Robert Fordham |
| Preceded by | Clyde Holding |
| Succeeded by | John Cain Jr. |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Northcote | |
| In office 21 September 1957 – 30 September 1988 |
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| Preceded by | John Cain Sr. |
| Succeeded by | Tony Sheehan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Frank Noel Wilkes
16 June 1922 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 20 August 2015 (aged 93) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Political party | Labor Party |
| Spouse | Wilma Richards |
| Children | Suzanne Jennifer Wilkes Helen Buckingham |
| Alma mater | RMIT University |
| Profession | Furniture manufacturer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Branch/service | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1943–1945 |
| Rank | Signalman |
Frank Noel Wilkes AM (16 June 1922 – 20 August 2015) was an Australian politician. He served as the Leader of the Labor Opposition in Victoria from 1977 to 1981. This meant he was the main opposition leader in the state parliament.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Frank Wilkes was born in Melbourne, Australia. He went to Northcote Primary and Secondary Schools. He also studied at Preston Technical College. During the Second World War, he served in the Australian Army. He worked as a radio operator in the southwest Pacific.
After the war, he studied accounting. He then worked in his father's furniture factory. Later, he became the manager of the factory. In 1954, he was elected to the Northcote City Council. He served as a councillor until 1978.
Political Journey
Frank Wilkes became involved in politics through John Cain Sr.. Cain Sr. was a well-known Labor Party leader. He had been the Premier of Victoria three times. Wilkes joined the Labor Party in 1948. He helped manage Cain Sr.'s election campaigns in 1952 and 1955.
When Cain Sr. passed away in 1957, Wilkes was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly. This happened in a special election called a by-election. He became the Labor Party's Whip in 1959. This role involves making sure party members vote as a group. In 1967, he became the Deputy Leader of the Labor Party.
Leading the Opposition
Wilkes was a loyal deputy to Clyde Holding. Holding led the Labor Party in opposition from 1967 to 1977. When Holding resigned in 1977, Wilkes became the leader. He took on the role of Leader of the Opposition of Victoria.
At the 1979 state election, Labor gained eleven seats. This was the party's best result in 24 years. They even won areas in eastern Melbourne. However, Labor did not win enough seats to make Wilkes the Premier. They were nine seats short.
Later Career
Even though Wilkes brought Labor close to winning, some in the party felt someone else could lead them to victory. John Cain Jr., the son of the former Premier, was seen as a strong leader. In 1980 and 1981, Cain Jr.'s supporters worked to change the party's leadership. This led to Wilkes resigning from his leadership role.
When John Cain Jr. led Labor to victory in 1982, Wilkes was made Minister for Local Government. He retired from Parliament in 1988. He had served for over 30 years. In 1989, he was honored with the title of Member of the Order of Australia. This was for his service to government and politics.
Family Life
Frank Wilkes' daughter, Helen Buckingham, also became a politician. She was a Labor member of the Victorian Legislative Council from 2002 to 2006. Frank Wilkes passed away on 20 August 2015, at the age of 93.
