Bill Grayden Politician

William Leonard "Bill" Grayden AM (born 5 August 1920) was an Australian politician. Born in Perth, Western Australia, he was educated at state schools and then at Perth Technical College, as part of an apprenticeship commenced in 1938 as a Motor Mechanic with Winterbottom Motors. He served in the military with the 2/16th AIF Infantry Battalion from 1940-1946. His service covered campaigns in Syria, the Kokoda Track, Ramu-Markham Valley (New Guinea) and Balikpapan (Borneo).In 1947, he was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly as the Liberal member for Middle Swan, where he remained until 1949. In that year, he transferred to the Australian House of Representatives, winning the seat of Swan for the Liberals. He held the seat until his defeat in 1954. In 1956 he returned to the Legislative Assembly, winning the seat of South Perth. He served as a minister in a number of capacities: Labour and Industry 1974-1978; Consumer Affairs 1974-1978; Immigration and Tourism 1974-1975; and Education, Cultural Affairs and Recreation 1978-1982. Grayden left the Assembly in 1993. He is the maternal grandson of Western Australian businessman and politician Nat Harper.