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Former Member Details

The Hon. Max Frederick WILLIS, R.F.D., E.D., LL.B. (1935 - 2021)

Member Photo
Date of Birth: 06/12/1935
Place of Birth: Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia
Date of Death: 18/08/2021
Place of Death: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Parliamentary Service
Position Start End Period Notes
President of the Legislative Council 03 Jul 1991 29 Jun 1998 6 years 11 months 27 days
Leader of Opposition 02 Aug 1978 28 Aug 1981 3 years 27 days
Deputy Leader of Opposition 15 Jan 1977 01 Aug 1978 1 year 6 months 18 days
Member of the NSW Legislative Council 02 Sep 1970 05 Mar 1999 28 years 6 months 4 days A member before reconstitution. A Member of the indirectly elected Council 1934 - 1978. Dates of Election 2 September 1970, 5 April 1973. Casual vacancy – elected for balance of term of service of Hon. C.A. Love, deceased. Granted retention of title of "Honourable" for life.
Political Party Activity
Liberal Party. Variously Shadow Minister for Education, Tourism, Environment and Planning. Member State Council and State Executive. Regional President Sutherland/Illawarra Region.
Community Activity
Honorary Legal Advisor to Juliana Village and Abel Tasman Village (retirement villages).
Qualifications, occupations and interests
Lawyer (solicitor). Educated at Murwillumbah High School and the University of Sydney. Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) 1957; admitted as a solicitor in 1958; became a solicitor with firm Serisier, Willis and Bowring, Miranda to 1971. Recreational interests include sailing, tennis, stamp and coin collecting, music and ballet.
Military Service
Joined Citizen Military Forces in 1953, Commissioned 1958 , Efficiency Decoration (Reserve Forces Decoration), president of Imperial Service Club 1972-1975, commanded UNSWR 1972 - 1975. Commanded 1980 - 1983, Assistant Commander RCSC 1983 - 1986. 33 years active Army Reserve service (rank Brigadier). R.F.D, ED, Cross of Solomon Islands (CSI).
Honours Received
Membership of other Parliaments & Offices Held
Local Government Activity
Personal
Son of Archibald Clarence Willis, butter factory hand, and Vida Mabel Buttenshaw. Married Wendy Patricia Booth on 8 August 1970 and had issue, 4 children. His brother Sir Eric Willis, was a member of the Legislative Assembly and Premier of New South Wales in 1976.
Additional Information