Bill Sykes

Who is Bill Sykes?

William Everett "Bill" Sykes became the Nationals member of the Victorian parliament, representing Benalla, in November 2002, after a career as a veterinarian and businessman.

Sykes was also a Victorian Football League footballer, playing 48 games of football for Fitzroy, and later coaching Shepparton, Benalla and Benalla & District junior football teams. As well as being a member of parliament, Sykes and his wife Sally also run a beef cattle and sheep property just out of Benalla.

Together, the Sykes have been involved in a wide range of community activities including school councils, youth groups, sporting clubs, Landcare, fire brigade and the Victorian Farmers Federation. Sykes was also instrumental in the establishment of the Benalla Trust Foundation, a trust to assist local people in times of crisis, and the Benalla Young Sportspersons Trust, a trust that assists promising young athletes to compete in interstate and overseas competitions.

Benalla had been held by the Nationals since 1943 but was lost in a by-election in 2000 after the retirement of Pat McNamara.