HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Subject Index
House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-04-09 Daily Xml
Contents
Pdf Xml

Condolence

WILSON, HON. I.B.C.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:01): Mr Speaker, on indulgence, as members would be aware, since we last sat the former federal member for Sturt and former minister in the Fraser government, the Hon. Ian Wilson AM, passed away peacefully aged 80. In 1966 Ian Bonython Cameron Wilson entered federal parliament as the member for Sturt, replacing his father, Sir Keith Wilson. He spent over 20 years as a federal MP, serving as minister for home affairs and environment and later minister for Aboriginal affairs and minister assisting the minister for social security. On behalf of the government, I place on record our appreciation of his long and meritorious public service and extend our condolences to his wife Mary, his four children, Keith, Richard, James and Nigel, his extended family and friends.

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:01): On indulgence, Mr Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge the life of Ian Wilson, son of a highly respected Liberal politician, Sir Keith Wilson, and, of course, his wife, Lady Elizabeth Wilson. Ian was educated in Adelaide and was chosen as our state's Rhodes scholar in 1955, travelling to Oxford to continue his studies in law. Upon his return to Adelaide he embarked upon a successful career as a solicitor before deciding to enter politics as the federal member for the eastern suburbs electorate of Sturt. He continued to serve the people of Sturt and the people of South Australia with dedication and distinction for more than 20 years in our federal parliament.

He played key roles in the Fraser ministry as minister for home affairs and the environment and later Aboriginal affairs in the early 1980s. Interestingly, he also founded the Young Liberal Movement here in South Australia in 1951, and he will be remembered by many young Liberals both past and future for the contribution he made. During his time in government and in retirement, Ian enjoyed a long association with many charitable organisations, always in a voluntary capacity. That is when I first came to know Ian Wilson in his capacity as chairman of the May Gibbs Literary Trust. This is an organisation which he founded with his wife back in 1999. It provides a range of scholarships to emerging authors and illustrators for children's literature.

However, one of the things about Ian is that not only did he attack everything he did with a lot of vigour and enthusiasm but also a lot of strategic intent. He set up a great organisation, very solid financially, which operates with four properties around Australia and scholarships that are linked to them. In his retirement Ian maintained an active interest in politics. His wisdom, counsel and experience were regularly and actively sought by many. It was always given generously and it was always very gratefully received. Ian was 80, and he is survived by his wife Mary, four children and seven grandchildren. On behalf of the Liberal parliamentary team I extend our most sincere condolences to Ian Wilson's family.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT