Robert Sparkes

{{Short description|Australian politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=November 2016}} {{Refimprove|date=February 2013}} '''Sir Robert Lyndley Sparkes''' (31 May 1929{{spaced ndash}}6 August 2006) was President of the Queensland National Party from 1970 to 1990 and the mayor of the Shire of Wambo for over 30 years.<ref>[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-08-08/wambo-mayor-pays-tribute-to-sir-robert-sparkes/1233548 Wambo Mayor pays tribute to Sir Robert Sparkes] </ref>

Sparkes was born in Dalby, Queensland, the son of Sir Jim Sparkes.

Most of his term was served during the period of the Bjelke-Petersen-led National Party state government. Mid-term he survived the opposition of the premier, who was famous for getting his own way, and who said of him: "We have got to get rid of him. He is a dictator".<ref>''The Age'', Melbourne, 20 March 1982</ref>

He was knighted in the 1979 New Year's Honours for services to local government.<ref>[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1083138 It's an Honour]</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sparkes, Robert}} Category:1929 births Category:2006 deaths Category:Australian Knights Bachelor Category:20th-century Australian politicians