Stan Collard facts for kids

Stanley James Collard, born on March 25, 1936, was an Australian politician. He served as a Senator for Queensland from 1975 to 1987. A Senator is like a representative in one part of Australia's parliament. He was part of the National Party. He became the leader of his party in the Senate in 1985. However, he didn't get chosen to run again in the 1987 election. This was because he didn't agree with the "Joh for Canberra" idea. Before politics, he worked as a train driver and was involved in a union.

Early Life and Work

Growing Up in Queensland

Stan Collard was born on March 25, 1936, in Maleny, Queensland. He was the oldest of three sons. His parents were Edina and William Alfred Collard.

He grew up on his family's dairy farm in Maleny. His grandfather had bought this farm in 1918. Stan went to primary school in Maleny. Then he spent two years at Nambour State High School. After that, he left school to help out on the farm.

Working on the Railways

Later, Stan moved to Brisbane. There, he started working for Queensland Railways. He trained to become an engineman, which is someone who drives trains.

For a short time, Stan ran a student hostel in Herberton. But he soon returned to Queensland Railways. He worked in Cloncurry as a locomotive driver. He was also a secretary for local branches of train workers' unions. These unions included the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and the Australian Railways Union. He even helped organize a strike in 1966.

In 1971, Collard moved to Sarina. Here, he drove very long coal trains. These trains had six locomotives pulling them. They carried coal from the Bowen Basin mines to the port at Hay Point. He continued to be a train driver until he was chosen to run for the Senate in 1975.

Political Career

Starting in Politics

Stan Collard joined the Country Party in 1959. This party later became known as the National Party. He helped manage election campaigns for Bob Katter Sr. in the area of Kennedy. He did this for three federal elections, starting in 1966.

Serving as a Senator

In 1975, Collard was chosen by the National Party to run for the Senate in Queensland. After a special election called a "double dissolution", he was placed sixth on the Coalition's list of candidates. The Coalition is a group of parties working together. He won a three-year term in the 1975 election. He was re-elected in the 1977 and 1983 elections.

From 1981 to 1985, Collard served as the Nationals' whip and deputy leader in the Senate. A whip helps make sure party members vote together. In 1985, he became the party's Senate leader. He also served as a "shadow minister" under Andrew Peacock and John Howard. A shadow minister is a member of the opposition who watches over a government department. He was responsible for veterans' affairs from 1984 to 1985. Then he handled arts, heritage, and the environment from 1985 to 1987.

The "Joh for Canberra" Campaign

During the "Joh for Canberra" campaign, Stan Collard believed the National Party should keep working with the Liberal Party. This was a long-standing partnership. However, this view went against what the National Party's leaders in Queensland wanted.

In April 1987, he resigned from his shadow minister role. He did this because the state party leaders told him to. But he openly criticized the "Joh for Canberra" efforts. After another "double dissolution" election, he was not chosen to run again for the National Party in the 1987 federal election. This brought an end to his time as the party's Senate leader.

After the Senate

In January 1990, Collard tried to be chosen by the National Party to run for the House of Representatives. This is the other part of Australia's parliament. He wanted to represent the area of Kennedy, but he was not successful.

Later, he was chosen as the party's candidate for Capricornia. However, he lost to the current member, Keith Wright, from the Australian Labor Party. This happened in the 1990 federal election.

Later Life and Community Work

After leaving the Senate, Stan Collard went back to his family farm. He was the president of the group that organized the Hinkler Bicentennial Air Race. This was a nine-day air race that honored Bert Hinkler, a famous pilot. The race ended in Brisbane on the opening day of World Expo 88.

He was also involved with Life Education Australia. This organization teaches young people about health and safety. He was the state president for three years and served on the national board for ten years. From 1996 to 1999, he was also the deputy chairman of the Library Board of Queensland.

Personal Life

In 1958, Stan Collard married Gloria Auld. They had three children together. He was a lay preacher in the Methodist Church. Later, he held leadership roles in the Uniting Church.