V
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 1982.
CONDOLENCE MOTION FOR MR. A. A. ARMSTRONG_
Mr. Speaker, I move," ta this House expresses its deep
regret at the death yesterday of Mr. A. A. Armstrong,
Member for Riverina, 1965-69, places on record its
appreciation of his long and meritorious public service and
tenders its profound sympathy to his widow and family
in their bereavement".
Mr. Speaker, it-is with great personal regret that I
learned of the death of Bill Armstrong who held the seat
of Riverina for the Country Party in this Parliament from
1965 to 1969. Adam Alexander Armstrong, or
Bill as he was known to us all, was born on 1 July 1909 at
Deniliquin, New South Wales and was elected to this
Parliament in the by-election of 27 February, 1965, following
in the footsteps of Hugh Roberton who had held Riverina
for the Country Party from 1949 to 1965. He made his
maiden speech on 13 May 1965 and although Bill was a Member
of this Parliament for a relatively short period till 1969,
he served it and the electors of Riverina with distinction.
During his-time in the Parliament, he was a mernber of
the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and was a member of
the Parliamentary delegation which visited South-East Asia
in June/ July 1966. He served on a number of backbench
committees especially the Committees on National Development
and Economics and Finance and his interest in these areas
enabled him to-pursue his own interests so successfully,
to the ultimate benefit of his electorate and country.
Moreover, as a former President of the Conargo Shire and as
Chairman of the Deniliquin Pastures Protection Board, he was
able to bring to his Parliamentary duties a useful collection
of community experience.
Like so many of his generation, Bill Armstrong saw military
service during the Second World War. He served with the
38th Australian Infantry Battalion in 1939 and 19.40, was made
a lieutenant in 1940 and joined the 2nd AIF on 1 September 1942.
He saw service overseas in the South-West Pacific area from
1943 to 1945 and was decorate with the Military Cross and
mentioned in despatches.
2
Bill Armstrong's great love was racing. He was official
starter for the Victorian Racing Club from 1951 to 1970 and I
am sure Honourable Members will recall his presence at many
a Melbourne Cup. It was for these and many other public
services that he was made an Officer of the Order of the
British Empire in 1972.
Mr. Speaker, to his widow, three sons and daughter, on
behalf of the Government I extend our deepest sympathies
at their sad loss. His service to his electorate and to this
Parliament is a matter of public record. With his passing we,
as members of this House, have lost a fine friend and colleague.
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