Fred Chaney Sr.

He served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1955 to 1969, as federal Minister for the Navy from 1964 to 1966, as Administrator of the Northern Territory from 1970 to 1973, and finally as Lord Mayor of Perth from 1978 to 1982.

The Honourable Sir Fred Chaney KBE, AFC
8th Administrator of the Northern Territory
In office 4 March 1970 – 10 December 1973
Governor‑General	Sir Paul Hasluck
Preceded by	Roger Dean
Succeeded by	Jock Nelson
Minister for the Navy
In office 4 March 1964 – 14 December 1966
Prime Minister	Robert Menzies Harold Holt
Preceded by	Jim Forbes
Succeeded by	Don Chipp
Member of the Australian Parliament for Perth
In office 10 December 1955 – 25 October 1969
Preceded by	Tom Burke
Succeeded by	Joe Berinson
Lord Mayor of Perth
In office 1978–1982
Preceded by	Ernest Henry Lee-Steere
Succeeded by	Mick Michael
Personal details
Born	(1914-10-20)20 October 1914 Fremantle, Western Australia
Died	17 December 2001(2001-12-17) (aged 87)
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse	Mavis
Children	Fred Chaney Robin nee Chaney Karen nee Chaney Richard Chaney Michael Chaney John Chaney Jillian née Chaney
Occupation	Teacher
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service	1941–1945
Rank	Flight Lieutenant
Battles/wars	Second World War New Guinea campaign Borneo campaign
Awards	Air Force Cross

Chaney was born in Fremantle, Western Australia and educated in state and Catholic schools. As a result of his sporting ability he won a scholarship to attend Christian Brothers' College, Perth. He taught in state schools from 1932 and married Mavis, a fellow teacher, in 1938. In 1941, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force as a pilot and flying instructor and served in Australia, New Guinea and Borneo and was awarded the Air Force Cross. Chaney and his wife had four sons (including Fred, a deputy leader of the Liberal Party; Michael, a businessman; and John, a judge) and three daughters.

Chaney was elected at the 1955 election as the Liberal member for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Perth. He was appointed Minister for the Navy in Robert Menzies' December 1963 ministry, but not sworn in until 4 March 1964, due to the need to pass legislation to enlarge the ministry. In the interim, on 10 February 1964 the Melbourne–Voyager collision took place, and Chaney was responsible for dealing with its repercussions. He was not reappointed to Harold Holt's second ministry in December 1966 and he was defeated at the 1969 election by Labor candidate, Joe Berinson.

Chaney was the Administrator of the Northern Territory from 1970 to 1973 and was a strong advocate for Aboriginal land rights. He was Lord Mayor of Perth from 1978 to 1982. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1970 and Knight Commander of the Order (KBE) in 1981.