21 Facts About Terry White

Terrence Anthony White was born on 3 September 1936 and is an Australian pharmacist, businessman, and former politician.

Terry White achieved notoriety when, as Queensland state leader of the Liberal Party he terminated the longstanding coalition agreement between the Liberal Party and the National Party of Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

In 2006, Terry White was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.

In 2012, Terry White was a recipient of the Queensland Greats Awards.

Terry White was born in 1936, and received his initial education at the Sisters of Mercy convent in Sandgate, and St Columban's at Albion.

Terry White showed ambition from a young age, attempting to enroll himself at Nudgee College without telling his parents so that he could receive a good education.

Terry White endured 73 interviews with master pharmacists to find a position as an apprentice, before finally receiving a position at a pharmacy in Scarborough.

Terry White later headed overseas and first experienced politics when he worked on the presidential campaign of John F Kennedy.

Terry White was first elected to parliament on 1 September 1979, at a by-election for the seat of Redcliffe following the retirement of incumbent National Party member Jim Houghton.

Terry White advocated seeking senior status for the Liberals in the coalition with the National Party in order to ensure what he described as "responsible democratic government".

Terry White fell in with a group of MPs known as the "ginger group".

Terry White argued that the principle of cabinet solidarity, which would normally compel him to vote against the motion, did not apply in this case because there was no official government policy on the matter.

Terry White tore up a copy of the press release issued by Bjelke-Petersen explaining his actions, a move that was interpreted by the media at the time as White symbolically tearing up long-standing coalition agreement.

Terry White suggested that under White, the Liberals might throw their support behind Labor.

Terry White managed to stay out of the limelight until the Fitzgerald Inquiry.

At the 1989 state election, Terry White was defeated in the massive Labor wave that swept through Queensland.

Terry White sold his first franchise in 1994, and by 2010 there were over 150 Terry White Chemists outlets across the country, the majority of which are owned and operated by franchisees.

Terry White has served as President of the Pharmacy Guild, and was involved in the founding of the Australian Institute of Pharmacy Management.

In 2012, Terry White was appointed Board Chairman of Metro South Hospital and Health Service, a government statutory body responsible for the management of five public hospitals, as well as a range of other healthcare facilities across the southside of Brisbane.

Post-retirement, Terry White continued compiling and digitising his business and political documents for the State Library of Queensland.

In 2012, Terry White was a recipient of the Queensland Greats Awards.