Bill McGrath

Who is Bill McGrath?

William 'Bill' Desmond McGrath is a former National Party of Australia politician and Australian rules footballer.

McGrath played in the Victorian Football League with South Melbourne, under captain-coach Ron Clegg. He played 15 of a possible 18 games in the 1959 home and away season. He also kicked 18 goals, including five in a win over Richmond at Punt Road, with team-mate Bob Skilton matching his tally. At the end of the year he returned to his family farm in Minyip but would continue to play and later coach in the Wimmera Football League.

In the 1979 state election, McGrath was elected into the Victorian Legislative Assembly as the member for Lowan. In his fourth term he was appointed Shadow Minister for Agriculture and after being re-elected for a fifth time in 1992, he became the Minister for Agriculture. He served in this position until 1996 when he was named Minister for Corrections and Minister for Police and Emergency Services. McGrath remained in that portfolio until his retirement in 1999, when he was replaced in his seat by Hugh Delahunty, another former VFL player.