Denham Henty

Who was Denham Henty?

Sir Denham Henty, KBE was an Australian politician.

Henty was born in Longford, Tasmania and educated at Launceston Church Grammar School. He left school at fourteen to work in his fathers wholesale business. In March 1930 he married Faith Gordon Spotswood and they subsequently had three sons and a daughter. He served as an alderman on Launceston City Council from 1943 to 1951 and was mayor from 1948 to 1949.

Henty was elected to the Senate of Australia at the 1949 election, representing the Liberal Party and served until his retirement in June 1968. He served as Minister for Customs and Excise from October 1956 to June 1964. In 1960 he prohibited the export of Australian native fauna for commercial purposes. From June 1964 to January 1966, he was Minister for Civil Aviation and he was then Minister for Supply until February 1968. He was knighted in 1968 for parliamentary service. The Denham Henty Waterscape in Launceston's Civic Square is named in his honour.