ALAN EGGLESTON AM 1941-2025

Dr Alan Eggleston made a profound contribution to regional medicine, to the Port Hedland community, to the WA Liberal Party and to the Senate where he represented Western Australia for 18 years. He is fondly remembered as a kind, deeply unselfish and wise man.

Alan was born and grew up in Busselton until he boarded at Christ Church Grammar School for seven years 1953-59. His determination overcame the handicap of dwarfism to matriculate and apply to study medicine at the University of WA. When the selection panel expressed concern that his height would cause such problems as tending a patient on a high bed, he replied:

“Where other doctors need to take no steps, I might have to take two. And where other doctors have to take one step, I might have to take three or four. If I find a terminally ill patient on a high bed, I will stand on a stool to care for that person. At Royal Perth Hospital I will do the same”.

He was admitted and graduated as a doctor, having been active in the University Liberal Club and the UWA Guild Council. Alan widened his medical experience with four years in Britain, until 1969. In 1974 he planned to work in the Pilbara for six months but remained there for 22 years. In his successful general practice in Port Hedland he made a substantial contribution to indigenous health. In his wider community involvement, he was elected to the Port Hedland Town Council in 1988 and served as Mayor from 1993 to 1996. He also served on the board of the Pilbara Development Commission 1994-96.

Alan was a most active member of the Kalgoorlie North Division of the Liberal Party (Pilbara and Kimberley) from when it was established in 1974. He was a member of State Council from 1976, Divisional President 1980-84 and 1992-96, and a State Vice-President 1983-87. He served on the Policy Committee from 1988 to 2008.

At the 1987 double dissolution Federal election, Alan Eggleston stood in the unwinnable 6th position on the Liberal Party ticket. In 1996, after two Senate selection meetings, Alan was endorsed as a unifying candidate for the 3rd place on our Senate team and was comfortably elected. In 2001 Alan was chosen to head the Senate team, with three Senators again elected despite a threat from One Nation. In 2007 he was re-elected from 2nd position, in the ticket led by Justice Minister David Johnston. He chose not to seek a 4th Senate term and retired in June 2014.

His record at preselection shows the respect he commanded in the Liberal family. As a Senator for 18 years, he was a firm Western Australian federalist, a champion of the State’s regions and a team player through the term of the Howard Government and the ensuing Opposition years. Alan served assiduously on a range of Senate Committees, including Chair of the Legislation Committee for 8 years and a long term as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade. He continued to attend Divisional conferences, State Council meetings and Party events, always close to the grassroots of the Liberal Party. His wise counsel was always appreciated.

In retirement Alan continued as an active Liberal until his health deteriorated several years ago. He was awarded Life Membership of the Liberal Party, in 2017 he was proclaimed a “Legend” by the Christ Church Grammar School Old Boys Association and in 2019 was awarded Membership of the Order of Australia. He was a fine doctor, a splendid Liberal who upheld our ‘broad church’ and a great Australian. God bless you, Alan.