Sir Jim Sparkes | |
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Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Dalby |
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In office 11 June 1932 – 11 May 1935 |
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Preceded by | Wilfred Russell |
Succeeded by | Godfrey Morgan |
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Aubigny |
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In office 29 March 1941 – 28 May 1960 |
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Preceded by | Arthur Moore |
Succeeded by | Les Diplock |
Personal details | |
Born |
Walter Beresford James Gordon Sparkes 22 April 1889 Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia |
Died | 15 June 1974 Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia |
(aged 85)
Nationality | Australian |
Political party | Country Party |
Other political affiliations |
Country and Progressive National Party |
Spouse(s) | Jessie Elizabeth Lang (m.1912), Alice Goongarry Scott (m.1920 d.1983) |
Occupation | Cattle breeder |
Religion | Anglican |
Sir Walter Beresford James Gordon "Jim" Sparkes (22 April 1889 – 15 June 1974) was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
Sparkes was born at Dubbo, New South Wales in 1889 to James Sparkes and his wife Mary Ann (née Yates). He was educated at Croydon Park Public School and St Joseph's College, Sydney before moving to Queensland in 1910. By 1912 he had purchased Lyndley Hereford Stud at Jandowae, one of the oldest and best known Hereford studs in Australia. Sparkes expanded the stud from its original 3,000 acres to 16,000 acres by acquiring adjoining properties. Over the years he went on to acquire many properties across the southern part of the state.
Sparkes was elected as a councillor to the Wambo Shire Council in 1916 and eventually became its chairman between 1922–31 and 1937–52. He entered the state parliament in 1932, winning Dalby for the Country and Progressive National Party but did not seek re-election in1935. Representing the Country Party in 1941, Sparkes won the seat of Aubigny, holding it for 19 years until his defeat in 1960 by Queensland Labor Party candidate, Les Diplock. During this period he was the Opposition whip from 1950 till 1957.
Sparkes was married twice: To Jessie Elizabeth Lang in 1912 and Alice Goongarry Scott in 1920. He had 6 children with his two partners including Sir Robert Sparkes, president of the Queensland branch of the National Party from 1970 till 1990.