1. David Amos Arblaster was a New South Wales politician, Minister for Culture, Sport and Recreation and Minister for Tourism in the cabinet of Sir Eric Willis until the Liberal party lost the 1976 election.
17 Facts About David Arblaster
1. 2.
David Arblaster was born in Sydney in 1929, the only child of Hugh and Ivy David Arblaster, and was educated at Manly Village Public School and then later at Sydney Church of England Grammar School.
3.
On 17 July 1954, David Arblaster married Mary Ann Roberts, and had two daughters, Ann and Fiona.
4.
In 1968, David Arblaster became a director of Noble Lowndes Australia, and later the managing director of Mitchell's Marina at Church Point.
5.
David Arblaster joined the Liberal Party in 1956 and held various party positions, including as a member of the State executive and then a country and metropolitan vice-president.
6.
David Arblaster was actively involved in encouraging youth involvement in the Liberal Party and he was the last appointed Liberal Youth Council chairman before the Young Liberals was reconstituted in 1964 as an independent wing of the Liberal Party.
7.
David Arblaster contested the 1967 Australian Senate election on the NSW Liberal ticket but was on third position and failed to gain a seat.
8.
David Arblaster then stood for and was elected to the seat of Mosman at a July 1972 by-election caused by the mid-term retirement of former Liberal Leader and Minister of the Crown, Pat Morton.
9.
David Arblaster went on to be re-elected with a significant majority a further five times.
10.
David Arblaster held this post to 14 May 1976 when the Liberal Party lost the 1976 election to the Labor Party under Neville Wran.
11.
David Arblaster then announced his intention to contest the vacant leadership against John Maddison, Peter Coleman and Kevin Rozzoli.
12.
However, Coleman eventually emerged successful and David Arblaster remained as Shadow Minister for Public Works and Ports from 20 December 1977 to 7 October 1978 when Coleman lost his seat at the 1978 election.
13.
When Coleman was formally replaced by John Mason, David Arblaster then decided to contest the Deputy Leadership against John Dowd, Rozzoli, Jim Cameron and Bruce McDonald.
14.
In retirement, David Arblaster continued his interest in sailing and yachting as a Member of the Middle Harbour Yacht Club and later as patron of the New South Wales 16-foot skiff club.
15.
David Arblaster died at his Wollongong residence on 10 August 2006.
16.
David Arblaster added not only colour but intelligence and character.
17.
David Arblaster was a great credit to New South Wales, and his contribution will be marked for the future.