Brookvale Public School
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Robert Gordon Menzies

By Grace
Early Life

* Robert Menzies was born on 20th of December 1894 in the small Victorian town of Jeparit.
* He was the son of a store keeper.
* Robert Menzies attended Jeparit and Ballarat Public Schools then Wesley College in Melbourne.
* He studied law at the University of Melbourne and was admitted as a Barrister in 1918. 
* 1928 was elected to the Victorian Government.
* 1932 was made Attorney-General and Minister for Railways.
  Menzies.jpg

Achievements in Parliament

* Robert Menzies was elected to Commonwealth Parliament in 1934 and was made Attorney-General.
* After Lyon's death Menzies was elected Prime Minister in 1939.
* September 3rd, 1939 Menzies declares Australia is at war with Germany.
* In 1941 he resigned from the United Australia Party.
* 1949 Menzies was elected Prime Minister as a member of the Liberal Party.
* 1949 Menzies tried to ban the Communist Party but the legislation was declared invalid by the High Court. Later he was defeated in a referendum.
* 1950 Menzies sends Australian troops to fight in Malaysia.
* 1951 Menzies sends Australian troops to fight in Korea as part of United Nations.
* 1954 Queen Elizabeth II visits Australia.
* Australia boomed and the economy grew but inflation reached 20 per cent and his government caused a credit squeeze sending many small business bankrupt.
* In 1961 Labor almost defeated Menzies government at elections.
* 1965 Menzies sends Australian troops to fight in Vietnam.
* At age of 71, he retired January 20th, 1966.
* Sir Robert Menzies is the longest serving Prime Minister he was the Prime Minister for 16 years.
Timeline of his life

1894 - Born 20th December in Jeparit, Victoria.
1916 - Studied law at the University of Melbourne.
1920 - Robert Menzies married Pattie Maie Leckie.
1928 - He won a seat in Victoria's Legislative Council.
1929 - He moved to the Legislative Assembly.
1930 - He entered Federal Parliament.
1931 - Became Prime Minister.
1939 - Robert Menzies announces Australia is at War.
1941 - Menzies resigns as Prime Minister.
1949 - Menzies won election.
1950 - Sends Australian troops to Malaysia.
1951 - Sends Australian troops to Korea.
1954 - Queen Elizabeth II visits Australia.
1965 - Menzies sends Australian troops to Vietnam.
1978 - He died at age 83 - a widely respected figure.
 
Bibliography

The Century of Prime Ministers, by Scott Brodie, published by Watts Publishing, Australia.
People in Power, by George Moore, R.I.C. Publications.
Internet Sites
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5557/menzies.html