James Roger Johnston (18 June 1930 – 24 June 2020) was an Australian politician. He contested the Division of Melbourne Ports in 1975, but lost to the incumbent Labor member Frank Crean. Following this, Johnston successfully sought Liberal preselection for Hotham, competing against nine other members.[2] In 1977, he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Liberal member for Hotham. He was a member of the Parliamentary Yacht Club, along with Phillip Lynch, Alan Cadman and Marshall Baillieu.[3] In 1979, Johnston was part of a delegation of Australian parliamentarians sent to Port Moresby to learn about resources development.[4] He was defeated in 1980.[5][6] He attempted to gain preselection for the 1982 Flinders by-election.[7]

Roger Johnston
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Hotham
In office
10 December 1977 – 18 October 1980
Preceded byDon Chipp
Succeeded byLewis Kent
Personal details
Born
James Roger Johnston

(1930-06-18)18 June 1930
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died24 June 2020(2020-06-24) (aged 90)
Political partyLiberal Party of Australia
OccupationBusinessperson[1]
ProfessionCivil engineer[1]

Johnston is a great-grandson of David Syme, and his ashes are interred in David Syme's tomb situated in Boroondara Cemetery in Kew, Victoria. It is my understanding that Mr. Johnston's ashes are not interred in the Syme mausoleum: upon opening of the crypt, it was found to be flooded with groundwater and the ashes were placed elsewhere.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Hotham's new man", The Canberra Times, 12 December 1977.
  2. ^ "Engineer replaces Chipp", The Canberra Times, 12 September 1977.
  3. ^ "Righting the sailing tale", Phillip Lynch, Alan Cadman, Marshall Baillieu, Roger Johnston, The Canberra Times, 26 November 1978.
  4. ^ "Aust MPs on tour", Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, 19 July 1979.
  5. ^ Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  6. ^ "Members of the House of Representatives since 1901". Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Lynch announces resignation PM decides on Flinders by-election", Teresa Mannix, The Canberra Times, 23 October 1982.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Member for Hotham
1977–1980
Succeeded by