Alister McMullin

   Alister Maxwell McMullin was born in 1900 in the hamlet of Rouchel, near Scone, in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. McMullin was a grazier of cattle, sheep and horses in the area for his whole life. He also played an active part in public life of the Upper Hunter area, including with the Upper Hunter Shire Council and the Upper Hunter Pastures Protection Board. In July 1940 McMullin enlisted in the Australian Military Forces. A year later he was commissioned into the RAAF and appointed flight lieutenant in October 1942. He was involved in defending the northern coast of Australia in Catalina flying boats.

   In 1946 McMullin married Thelma Louise Smith and in 1948 founded the Scone branch of the new Liberal Party. In 1951 there was a double dissolution election and McMullin was elected to the Senate as a Liberal Senator for NSW. In 1953 McMullin became President of the Senate in a party room vote. McMullin gained this position with the support of Prime Minister Robert Menzies who wanted a loyal party man in the position. McMullin was an ideal party strategist but also an amiable President with a distinguished presence and an aura of fair-mindedness. McMullin remained president of the Senate until he retired from parliament in 1971. He remains the longest serving President and rulings he made remain in use.

   Outside parliamentary sessions McMullin toured extensively in country areas of Australia. He also made official visits to foreign countries, including Singapore, India, Argentina, Brazil, Nigeria and Israel. McMullin also represented Australia at John F. Kennedy’s funeral in Washington in 1963. While in parliament McMullin was active in planning the new and permanent Parliament House. He also contributed to the development of the National Library of Australia as an independent institution from the Parliamentary Library. In 1957 McMullin was knighted by the Queen.

   In 1966 McMullin became the first Chancellor of the University of Newcastle when the fledgling institution moved to its bushland campus at Shortland. He remained in the position until ill-health forced him to resign in 1977. McMullin took great interest in the development of the University and is remembered as a firm but courteous and sympathetic chairman. There is a building on the main campus that is named after McMullin and music played at graduation ceremonies has also been dedicated to the University’s first Chancellor.

   The Hon. Sir Alister McMullin, K. C. M. G., Hon. D. Litt. died in Scone in 1984 and is buried in the Uniting Church cemetery in Rouchel.