Leslie Wood

Leslie Arnold Wood (6 March 1907 – 29 March 1958) was a school teacher and member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. He was the Leader of the Opposition in Queensland for seven months in 1957–1958.

Biography Wood was born in Toowoomba, Queensland, to parents Joseph Emanuel Wood and Fredrika Johanna Henrietta (née Hoepper). He was educated at Middle Ridge State School in Toowoomba before attending Maryborough Central State School and Maryborough Grammar School. He took up teaching at Maryborough West State School and then returned to Toowoomba to carry on his teaching duties at Newtown and East Toowoomba. and had three sons and one daughter including identical twins Bill and Peter who themselves went on to be members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. He was a Past Master of the Melrose Masonic Lodge and a president and referee in the Toowoomba Rugby League. He was also a member of the Toowoomba Bowls Club and the RAOB. the first time it was accorded to an opposition leader.

Political career Wood, for the Labor Party, won the 1946 by-election for the seat of East Toowoomba following the death of Herbert Yeates the previous December. There was a state election the next year however and Wood lost the seat to future Deputy Premier and for 1 week, Queensland Premier, Gordon Chalk.

Out of politics for three years, Wood contested the new seat of North Toowoomba at the 1950 state election, and defeated the Liberal candidate, Ralph Weppner. He held North Toowoomba until his death in 1958.