Collection Name
J S Battye Library of West Australian History Private Archives – Collection Listing RESTRICTED MN 1301 Acc. 7153A SIR CHARLES COURT COLLECTION Charles Walter Michael Court was born in Sussex, England, on September 29, 1911, and migrated to Australia with his parents while a baby. The family settled in Perth and Sir Charles attended primary school in Leederville and then Perth Boys’ School. He was interested in music from an early age and joined the RSL Memorial Band at the age of 12. A talented cornet player he won the brass solo division of the 1928 national band competition. His interest in music was a lifelong passion and he played wind instruments in several orchestras. After leaving school, Sir Charles studied accountancy, becoming a founding partner in the firm Hendry, Rae and Court in 1938 where he retained an office until he was well into his 80s. In 1936, he married Rita Steffanoni and, in 1940, enlisted in the army as a private. Sir Charles rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel by the time of his discharge in 1946, after distinguished service in the Pacific. He had five sons, Victor, Barry, Ken, Richard and Geoffrey with his first wife Rita, who died in 1992. In 1953, Sir Charles began his political career by winning the seat of Nedlands. Within three years of his election to parliament, Sir Charles became Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and when the Liberal – Country Party government of David Brand was elected in 1959, he became Minister for Industrial Development, the North West and Railways. Under his tenure as minister, the Ord River scheme progressed, the mining industry began in the Pilbara and the Kwinana industrial strip developed.
[Show full text]