45 Facts About Michael Bruxner

Michael Bruxner came to political prominence when he led the rural "True Blues" faction of the Progressive Party that went against their Leader's decision to form a coalition in Sir George Fuller's short-lived government in 1921.

Michael Bruxner emerged as the leader of the reduced Progressive Party, which consisted of the members of his faction, but they nevertheless joined with Fuller's Nationalists to form government in 1922.

Michael Bruxner became involved in the New England New State Movement.

Michael Bruxner resigned the party leadership, now for the renamed Country Party, at the end of 1925.

Michael Bruxner was included in new Premier Thomas Bavin's cabinet as Minister for Local Government, which included the responsibility for transport.

Michael Bruxner was sworn in as Minister for Transport and briefly resumed his former Local Government portfolio.

Michael Bruxner worked with his long-time friend and Minister for Education David Drummond, to establish the New England University College in 1938, which was later to become the University of New England.

Michael Bruxner was central in ensuring Alexander Mair became Premier after Stevens was defeated in the house in August 1939.

On 6 May 1958, Michael Bruxner formally resigned as Leader of the Country Party, having served continuously in that role since 1932.

Michael Bruxner continued to serve in his capacity as Member for Tenterfield for one more term before retiring from politics before the 1962 election.

Michael Bruxner was Knighted as a KBE in 1962, and thereafter served in various capacities on boards and continued his passion for horses before his death aged 88 on 28 March 1970.

Michael Bruxner was initially educated in private tuition but was sent as a boarder first at St Mark's Crescent School in Darling Point, Sydney and then to The Armidale School, where he became School Captain in 1900.

Michael Bruxner purchased "Roseneath", a grazing property near Tenterfield, where he bred Hereford cattle.

Michael Bruxner became vice-president of the local agricultural society and of the Cricket and Rugby clubs in Tenterfield.

Michael Bruxner was commissioned as a Justice of the Peace in 1914.

Michael Bruxner started his military career when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 11 September 1911 in the 6th Australian Light Horse, Citizen Military Forces, which was redesignated the 5th the following year.

Also in 1917, Michael Bruxner was appointed to General Headquarters and rose to be assistant adjutant and quartermaster-general of the ANZAC Mounted Division.

Michael Bruxner then returned to Tenterfield, sold his stock and station agency and went back to his property as a grazier.

Michael Bruxner became involved in the New England New State Movement and helped pass a formal request to the Commonwealth by the Legislative Assembly to establish a new state in northern New South Wales.

Michael Bruxner resigned the leadership at the end of 1925, citing the difficulty in balancing the needs of his family with the commitments of his political career, and was succeeded by Ernest Buttenshaw.

At the election, Lang's Labor Party was defeated and Michael Bruxner was included in new Premier Bavin's cabinet as Minister for Local Government, which included the responsibility for transport.

Michael Bruxner remained as Minister until the Bavin Government was defeated by Lang at the 1930 election.

On 23 December 1930, Michael Bruxner was granted by King George V retention of the title "The Honourable" for having served for more than three years as a Member of the Executive Council of New South Wales.

In 1931 Michael Bruxner moved a motion to censure Sydney University Professor of Philosophy John Anderson for his statements that war memorials were "political idols".

Michael Bruxner retained his seat again unopposed.

Insistent that his party take an equal role in the coalition government, Michael Bruxner formed a good working relationship and long-lasting friendship with Stevens that would ensure the government's stability.

The May 1935 election saw Stevens and Michael Bruxner retaining government against a divided and fractious Labor opposition and Michael Bruxner was returned unopposed again in his seat.

Michael Bruxner detested the UAP Deputy Leader and Minister for Public Works and Local Government, Eric Spooner, whom Michael Bruxner saw as trying to undermine confidence in Steven's leadership and reducing Country Party influence in the government.

When Stevens went on a visit to London in March 1936 for six months until October, Michael Bruxner became Acting Premier, with Spooner as Acting Deputy.

In May 1937, Michael Bruxner visited the United Kingdom as a member of the NSW parliamentary delegation to the coronation of King George VI.

At the March 1938 election, the Stevens-Michael Bruxner government retained power against Lang and the still-divided Labor Party.

Michael Bruxner worked with his long-time friend, now Minister for Education David Drummond, to establish a regional tertiary education institution.

In July 1939, Stevens and Colonial Treasurer Alexander Mair attempted to address Spooner's unwillingness to accede to cabinet decisions regarding ministerial expenditure by creating a committee of four, consisting of Mair, Stevens, Spooner and Michael Bruxner, to approve all expenditure.

However, Michael Bruxner had always detested Spooner and let it be known that he and his Country Party colleagues would not serve under him.

Mair, who got on well with Michael Bruxner, was sworn in as Premier by Lord Wakehurst on the same day, ensuring the survival of the coalition government.

Michael Bruxner equipped railway workshops with modern machine tools and established National Emergency Services to deal with air raids.

Michael Bruxner witnessed the fragmented opposition parties forming into the Liberal Party in 1945, under the leadership of Weaver, Mair and then former Justice Minister Vernon Treatt from March 1946.

Michael Bruxner led the party, again being elected unopposed, again at the May 1947 election, achieving an overall gain of 5 seats from independents and the Labor Party, now led by James McGirr.

Treatt and Michael Bruxner led the Coalition at the 17 June 1950 election, which resulted in a hung parliament.

Michael Bruxner sold his "Roseneath" property in 1950 and in 1951 bought the homestead section of Old Auburn Vale station, dividing his time between there and his Sydney residence in Bellevue Hill.

Michael Bruxner brought order to the government's chaotic public works program.

On 6 May 1958, Michael Bruxner formally resigned as Leader of the Country Party, having served continuously in that role since 1932.

Tim Michael Bruxner went on to become a member of the Askin, Lewis and Willis Cabinets from 1973 to 1976, including in his father's old portfolio as Minister for Transport and as Deputy Leader of the Country Party.

From 1960 Michael Bruxner was Deputy President of the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales.

Michael Bruxner's wife Winifred having died the year before in 1969, Bruxner died on 28 March 1970, survived by his daughter and both sons.