Archibald Fisken CMG, OBE, MC |
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Member of the Australian Parliament for Ballaarat |
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In office 15 September 1934 – 23 October 1937 |
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Preceded by | Charles McGrath |
Succeeded by | Reg Pollard |
Personal details | |
Born |
Ballarat, Victoria |
1 March 1897
Died | 20 June 1970 Lal Lal, Victoria |
(aged 73)
Nationality | Australian |
Political party | United Australia Party |
Spouse(s) | Elspeth Anne Cameron |
Occupation | Pastoralist |
Awards |
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Officer of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/branch | British Army |
Years of service | 1916–1919 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit | Royal Field Artillery |
Battles/wars | First World War |
Archibald Clyde Wanliss Fisken CMG, OBE, MC (11 March 1897 – 20 June 1970) was an Australian politician. His grandson is Liberal Senator Michael Ronaldson.
Fisken was born at Ballarat, Victoria, to grazier Archibald James Fisken and Beatrice Mary, née Wanliss. He attended E.N. Maryatt's Church of England Grammar School for Boys, Ballarat College and Geelong Church of England Grammar School before his 1916 commission in the Royal Field Artillery. He served on the Western Front from 1916 to 1918; in 1918 he was awarded the Military Cross and promoted to lieutenant, although he was also wounded.
Returning from the war, Fisken maintained the family property (Lal Lal, in the family since 1846) at Yendon. He was elected to the Shire of Buninyong Council in 1922 and remained a councillor until his death, being president in 1931–32, 1946–47, 1957–58 and 1966–67. He was prominent in the community, both as a sportsman and as a pastoralist. He married Elspeth Anne Cameron on 20 February 1924 at Ross, Tasmania.
Fisken was elected to the federal House of Representatives in 1934, as the United Australia Party member for Ballaarat. He was notably concerned with unemployment, stating that "all the ills of the country would be rectified" if the problem was solved. Although mentioned as a possibility for promotion to the ministry, Fisken retired from parliament in 1937, stating that he wished to focus on his appointment as chairman of the Australian Meat Board.