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Gordon Atkinson

1941 – 1984

Australian politician

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About Gordon Atkinson

Lived 1941 – 1984 (aged 43). Gordon Atkinson was an Australian politician and farmer.

William Gordon Atkinson (14 April 1941 – 4 August 1984) was an Australian farmer and politician who was a Liberal Party member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia from 1983 until his death.

Atkinson was born in Geraldton, to Jessie (née Peden) and Harry Leonard Atkinson. His family moved to Dalwallinu (a small Wheatbelt town) when he was a child, and he attended Northam Senior High School and Muresk Agricultural College. After leaving school, Atkinson farmed at Dalwallinu, becoming prominent in agricultural circles. He first stood for parliament at the 1980 state election, losing to Harry Gayfer (the sitting National Country member) in Central Province. Atkinson recontested the seat at the 1983 election, and was elected on just 26.1 percent of first preferences. However, he served in parliament for just 15 months before dying suddenly in August 1984, aged 43. He had married Olwen Margaret Dowie in 1963, with whom he had four children. In a Legislative Council condolence motion after Atkinson's death, Gordon Masters said that "[no] other person in Parliament typified the country people and the farming community better".

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Muresk Institute, Northam Senior High School
Positions held
Member of the Western Australian Legislative Council
Also known as
William Gordon Atkinson

People in Gordon Atkinson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Gordon Atkinson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Gordon Atkinson?

Australian politician

When was Gordon Atkinson born?

Gordon Atkinson was born on 14 April 1941 in Geraldton.

When did Gordon Atkinson die?

Gordon Atkinson died on 4 August 1984 in Northam.

What was Gordon Atkinson's occupation?

Gordon Atkinson was a politician and farmer.

What nationality was Gordon Atkinson?

Gordon Atkinson was Australian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Gordon Atkinson

· Wikidata: Q27914888

· DBpedia: Gordon Atkinson (Australian politician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Gordon Atkinson. https://biography.guide/gordon-atkinson/

MLA: "Gordon Atkinson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/gordon-atkinson/.

Chicago: "Gordon Atkinson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/gordon-atkinson/.

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