Hugh Vernon MacLeod was a politician who served as MLA, Western Electorate, November 1946 to July 1955, when he was defeated.

Born 23 January 1882 in Busselton, Western Australia, he was the son of grazier Donald Norman McLeod and Charlotte Harriett Bussel. He was educated at Tyrendarra State School and Brighton Grammar School. He played cricket for Western Australia against the Melbourne Cricket Club. During World War I he served in the 13th Light Horse at Gallipoli.

MacLeod was married in 1919 to theatre actress Wilhelmina Laura Elsie Landquest (also known as Elsie Langley). He became a grazier, managing Merino Downs station, then Noranside cattle station in Queensland for an uncle. On returning to Victoria, he managed part of the family property Talisker, Merino. He became, variously, a grazier, dairy farmer, Jersey cattle stud farmer, and judge at agricultural shows. He was also a well-known amateur rider, and trained and owned racehorses.

MacLeod progressively sought leadership roles. He became a Justice of the Peace, held many local offices and claimed chieftanship of the MacLeod clan in 1935. He served as a Portland shire councillor from 1922 to 1940, and was president of the council in the years 1924-1925, 1930-1931, 1934-1935. He was a member of the Independent Party.

A Hollway supporter, MacLeod helped bring down the McDonald government in October 1952. His appointments included Minister of Agriculture and of State Development in October 1952, and the Public Works committee from 1948 to 1955.

MacLeod died on 24 September 1955 and is buried in the Portland cemetery.

References:
Parliament of Victoria website http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/re-member/bioregfull.cfm?mid=1301, accessed 2/7/2009. That web site draws on the following references:
Who's Who in Australia, 1947-1955
Victoria, 'Parliamentary Debates' 27 Sept 1955, pp.615-618
Portland Observer, 29 Sept 1955
Henderson, A. (comp.), (1936). 'Early Pioneer Families of Victoria and Riverina...', Melbourne.
West, K., (1965). 'Power in the Liberal Party', Melbourne.
White, K. B., (1975). 'A Political Biography of Thomas Tuke Hollway', MA thesis, La Trobe University.
Initial data source: Browne, G, 'Biographical Register of the Victorian Parliament 1900-84', 1985 Last update: 1985 (last date the record was checked and updated).

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