Faris Leisson (Great White South)



Sir Faris Leisson AK, CH, OBE, (born 27th of May, 1868 - died 19th of March, 1941), was the 4th Chief Minister of New Vestfold. Leisson was the first Chief Minister to be born in New Vestfold, as well as being the first to be a member of the Progressive Party which he was also the founder of. Leisson worked as an accountant before entering politics in 1906. Intelligent and ambitious, Leisson was well liked by the public for his his open visions for the future of New Vestfold. In 1915, Leisson defeated pacifist Chief Minister Warren Prescott and assured New Vestfoldians that he would do everything in his power to cease Australia's involvement in the First World War. However, due to tactical errors and mistakes made in his term and being overwhelmed by the events of the Antarctic Campaign, Leisson lost re-election at the 1918 election and is generally remembered as an unpopular Chief Minister. Nonetheless, Leisson was a well liked man and was knighted in 1917.