Sir Thomas Reginald Groom (1906–1987) was Lord Mayor of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia from 1955 to 1961.
Sir Reginald Groom | |
|---|---|
 Reg Groom in his Lord Mayoral robes – 1955 | |
| 7th Lord Mayor of Brisbane | |
| In office 1955–1961 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Clem Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Reginald Groom 30 December 1906 Teneriffe, Queensland, Australia |
| Died | 28 June 1987 (aged 80) Guyra, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Citizens' Municipal Organisation |
| Occupation | Accountant, businessman |
Early life
editGroom was born at Teneriffe, Queensland, on 30 December 1906, and educated at Brisbane Grammar School and the University of Queensland, where he was President of the University of Queensland Union. He graduated in 1932 and joined his father's accountancy firm.
Politics
editIn 1943, he entered local politics as a Citizens' Municipal Organisation councillor in the Brisbane City Council. He served two terms as Lord Mayor from 1955. Despite severe budget restrictions he attempted to improve the city's infrastructure, particularly the water, electricity, and sewer networks. His successor, the Labor Party's Clem Jones, was more successful in these endeavours.
Affiliations
editGroom served on several community boards and committees.
He was a member of Brisbane's Johnsonian Club, Melbourne's Athenaeum Club, and Sydney's Union Club and President (1943) of the local Rostrum club.
Later life
editFollowing electoral defeat, Groom was knighted in 1961 and returned to a career in accountancy and business. As well as running his own accountancy firm, during the 1960s and 1970s he served as chairman of Mount Isa Mines, P&O Australia and the Commonwealth Bank, amongst others.
Reg Groom died on 28 June 1987 at Guyra, New South Wales.