Rex Pilbeam
| Rex Pilbeam | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Rockhampton South |
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In office 28 May 1960 – 17 May 1969 |
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| Preceded by | New seat |
| Succeeded by | Keith Wright |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Reginald Byron Jarvis Pilbeam 30 October 1907 Longreach, Queensland, Australia |
| Died | 31 July 1999 (aged 91) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
| Spouse(s) | Barbara Winning Rose (m.1927 d.1994) |
| Occupation | Accountant |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
Reginald Byron Jarvis "Rex" Pilbeam (30 October 1907 - 31 July 1999) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and long-serving mayor of Rockhampton.
Pilbeam was born at Longreach, Queensland, the son of John Thomas Pilbeam and his wife Ellen (née Tonks). He was educated at Emu Park State School before attending Rockhampton High School and then earned his accountancy and secretarial qualifications by external studies.
He became a practising public accountant and joined the Australian Army in 1944, serving with the 61st Australian Infantry Battalion and being discharged the next year with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
On 21 January 1927 Pilbeam married Barbara Winning Rose (died 1994) and together they had two sons. He died in Brisbane in July 1999 and was cremated at the Albany Creek Crematorium in Brisbane.
Pilbeam first entered politics in 1952, elected to Rockhampton City Council as Mayor of Rockhampton at the age of 44. Prior to the election, Pilbeam campaigned on an ambitious platform with an agenda consisting of better financial management, lowering rates, securing a more adequate water supply, sealing the city's streets, and establishing a better sewerage system for the city's residents.
He was elected at the Rockhampton City Council election which was held on 31 May 1952, with a three-to-one majority over his nearest rival, Labour candidate Francis Baker.
He was also the Liberal Party member for Rockhampton South in the Queensland Legislative Assembly from the seat's inception in 1960 until his defeat by Keith Wright in 1969.
However, Rex Pilbeam continued to be mayor of Rockhampton City Council for a record 30 years. Pilbeam's mayoralty came to an end in 1982 when he was defeated by 41-year-old Jim Webber who was successful on his third attempt to unseat Pilbeam.
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