Ralph Hunt was one of the great figures in our Party's history.
Born in Narrabri in March 1928, he passed away in 2011 at the age of 83.
Mr Hunt was elected to federal parliament as the Member for Gwydir in a by-election in June 1969 and held the seat until he retired in 1989.
He served as a minister under prime ministers John Gorton and Malcolm Fraser, and he also held a wide range of positions within our Party.
They included:
• Member, Central Council, National Party of Australia (NSW) from 1953.
• Chairman, Australian Country Party (NSW) 1964-69.
• Federal Chairman, Australian Country Party 1968-69.
• Chairman, Gwydir Federal Electorate Council 1953-69.
• Chairman, Country Party Wool Committee 1967-69.
• Trustee, National Party of Australia (NSW) from 1976.
• Trustee, National Party of Australia Federal Council from 1983.
In 1953 Mr Hunt married Miriam "Mim" McMahon, and they were together for almost 60 years.
Sadly Mrs Hunt has passed away at the age of 92.
A service for her will be held this Friday, May 31, at St Mark's Anglican Church at Darling Point in Sydney.
Our thanks to Jenny Gardiner for reminding us that when the debating competition was held at this year's NSW Young Nationals Annual General Conference, teams competed for the Miriam Hunt Shield.
Jenny said the Shield was so named in honour of the fact that it was Mim who suggested to her husband, as Country Party Chairman, that younger members should be able to have a more meaningful role in the Party.
Ralph took up the idea and in 1965 the YACP was formed under the inaugural State Chairman, Richard Bull.
Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the formation of the YACP.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hunt family at this sad time.
