Boyd Dawkins Explained

M. Boyd Dawkins
Birth Name:Maynard Boyd Dawkins
Birth Date:2 January 1917
Birth Place:Stirling, South Australia
Death Place:Adelaide, South Australia
Resting Place:Gawler River, South Australia
Nationality:Australian
Occupation:farmer and politician
Party:Liberal and Country League
Office:Member of the South Australian Legislative Council
Term Start:March 1962
Term End:November 1982
Relations:Nephew: John Dawkins

Maynard Boyd Dawkins MBE (2 January 1917 – 21 October 1996)[1] was a sheep breeder, choirmaster and politician in the State of South Australia.

History

Dawkins was born in Stirling West the only son of Albert Maynard Dawkins of Gawler River and his wife Mary (née Yeoman).[2] The Dawkins family were early settlers of Gawler, and well known in the area.[3]

He studied at Roseworthy Agricultural College, where his father was a board member,[4] He was, like fellow parliamentarian Leslie Rupert Hart, a breeder of Dorset Horn sheep.

He was president of the Gawler Men's Branch of the Liberal and Country League,[5] and was a successful Liberal candidate for a Midland seat on the Legislative Council in March 1962, successfully made the transition to the new Legislative Council in July 1975 when, by the Act of 1973, the State reverted to voting as one electorate, with proportional representation. He retired in November 1982.

Other interests

Dawkins was a teetotaller; an active member of the Methodist Church and the Band of Hope; following a long family tradition.[6]

He was a fine bass-baritone, a member of the Adelaide Philharmonic Choir, who studied under Clifford Lathlean,[7] and conductor of the notable Gawler Choral Society.[8]

Personal

He married Constance Lilian Wilkinson on 24 August 1943.[9] A son, John Dawkins, born 3 July 1954,[10] followed his father as a member of the Legislative Council from 1997 until 2022. On 8 September 2020, John was elected President of the Legislative Council serving until 19 March 2022.[11]

A nephew also called John was a politician from the Australian Labor Party and was Federal Treasurer in 1991 to 1993.[12]

Notes and References

  1. 2599 . Hon Maynard (Boyd) Boyd Dawkins MBE . yes . 14 November 2022.
  2. News: Family Notices . . 26 October 1900 . 19 December 2014 . 4 . Trove.
  3. News: Cricket . . 5 January 1934 . 19 December 2014 . 6 . Trove.
  4. News: Roseworthy College Scholarships . . 10 March 1933 . 19 December 2014 . 4 . Trove.
  5. News: Local Men's L.C.L Branch Revived . . 5 June 1953 . 19 December 2014 . 7 . Trove.
  6. News: Out Among the People . . 5 May 1944 . 19 December 2014 . 6 . Trove.
  7. News: Musical Notes . . 16 December 1939 . 19 December 2014 . 2 . Trove.
  8. News: Choral Society presents "The Crucifixion" . . 30 March 1951 . 19 December 2014 . 1 . Trove.
  9. News: Family Notices . . Renmark, SA . 7 October 1943 . 19 December 2014 . 9 . Trove.
  10. News: Family Notices . . 6 July 1954 . 19 December 2014 . 20 . Trove.
  11. 599 . Dawkins, John . yes . 19 August 2022.
  12. Web site: 18 December 2006. John Dawkins - Member for Fremantle 1977-1993 . 2022-11-14 . john.curtin.edu.au . en.