Armstrong, Roy Alexander
Personal
Birth Date:
14 January 1914 (Warwick, Queensland)
Death Date:
26 April 1991 (Brisbane, Queensland)
Parents:
Samuel John Armstrong and Ann Isabel (nee Hall)
Family:
(2) Marie Veronica Thornton (nee Diery) on 28 August 1977, (1) Daphne Merle Bauld on 4 March 1940 (dec. 1976), 1 son
Education:
Warwick State School
Religion:
Presbyterian
Career
Mixed farmer; Timber cutter and haulier; Canegrower
Local Government Service:
Councillor, Mulgrave Shire Council, 1956 to 1961
Party Positions:
- Chairman, Leichhardt Divisional Council. 1953 - 1956
- Chairman, Mulgrave Electorate Council. 1950 - 1956
- Member, National Party Management Committee.
- Branch Chairman, North Queensland Country Party, which became Queensland Country Party.
- Member, Government Party Committees: Mines, Energy and Northern Development; Justice; Industrial Development; Transport. 1975
- Member, Government Party Committees: Justice; Development and Industrial Affairs; Transport. 1972 - 1974
- Member, Government Party Committees: Justice; Primary Industries; Tourism; Industrial Development. 1969 - 1972
Parliamentary Representation
| House | Party | Electorate | From | To | Elected/Departure Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assembly | CN | Mulgrave | 23 Jul 1960 | 29 Nov 1980 | By-election |
Parliamentary Service
| Description | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Chairman, Select Committee on Subordinate Legislation | 8 Sep 1976 | 24 Jul 1979 |
| Member, Delegation to the United Kingdom | 1974 | |
| Member, Parliamentary Printing Committee | 1973 | |
| Member, Parliamentary Delegation to New Zealand and South Pacific | 1970 | |
| Member, Parliamentary Delegation to New Zealand | 1963 |
Additional Information
Notes:
Roy Armstrong entered parliament in tragic and somewhat unusual circumstances. His election on 23 Jul 1960 was brought about by the sudden death of not one but two previous members. The sitting Country Party member for Mulgrave, Robert Watson, had died in Mar 1959. At the subsequent by-election on 6 Jun 1959, Carlisle Wordsworth was successful in winning the seat. Wordsworth served out the remainder of Robert Watson's unfinished term and nominated as the Country Party candidate for the general election that was set down for 28 May 1960. However, three weeks before the poll, Carl Wordsworth also passed away, and it was announced that a special election for the seat of Mulgrave would be held on 23 Jul 1960. That special election saw Roy Armstrong, who was a popular local cane farmer of 25 years standing, installed as the new member for Mulgrave. Roy Armstrong was regarded as a strong local member in the Far North and a strong voice for the sugar industry. Interests include bands and bowling. He was well known as a very skilful player in the pipe band, as well as a judge of pipers and Scottish dancing. Patron, North Queensland Pipe Bands Association and was a participant every year. Chairman, Innisfail Conservatorium of Music; Deputy Chairman, Board of Directors, Innisfail Conservatorium of Music, for 18 years; Member, Board of Directors Babinda Cooperative Central Mill Society, 1951 to 1953 and 1956 to 1958; Founder and first President, North Queensland Loggers Association; Chairman, Babinda Cane Pest and Disease Board; Member, Masonic Lodge, for 40 years
Sources:
Image sourced from the collection of the Queensland Parliamentary Library and Research Service; Cairns Post, 31 May 1991, p.16
[Last Modified: Tuesday, 12 January 2016]