Jim Sparkes

Sir Walter Beresford James Gordon Sparkes (22 April 1889 – 15 June 1974) was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

Early life Sparkes was born at Dubbo, New South Wales in 1889 to James Sparkes and his wife Mary Ann (née Yates). He was educated at Croydon Park Public School and St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill before moving to Queensland in 1910. By 1912 he had purchased Lyndley Hereford Stud at Jandowae, one of the oldest and best known Hereford studs in Australia. Sparkes expanded the stud from its original 3,000 acres to 16,000 acres by acquiring adjoining properties. Over the years he went on to acquire many properties across the southern part of the state. Representing the Country Party in 1941, Sparkes won the seat of Aubigny, holding it for 19 years until his defeat in 1960 by Queensland Labor Party candidate, Les Diplock. During this period he was the Opposition whip from 1950 till 1957.

Personal life Sparkes was married twice; first, Jessie Elizabeth Lang in 1912 and then Alice Goongarry Scott in 1920. The Queensland Premier at the time, Joh Bjelke-Petersen told the members of parliament that "Sparkes spoke almost daily in this Chamber on behalf of the working man and the man on the land. He always fought their case, and fought it hard".