Tributes flow for 'formidable' former Nationals WA leader Max Trenorden after his death

Max Trenorden, a former leader of the Nationals WA party and a long-serving member of the Western Australian state parliament, has died at the age of 78. Trenorden was remembered as a dedicated champion for regional Western Australia and a formidable parliamentarian.

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He was a formidable parliamentarian who dedicated more than a quarter of a century to representing the people of the Wheatbelt and regional WA.

Trenorden led the Nationals WA from 2001 to 2005 and also served as deputy leader of the opposition coalition under Liberal leader Colin Barnett from 2004 to 2005. He dedicated more than a quarter of a century to representing the people of the Wheatbelt and regional WA.

Nationals WA president Paul Gillett paid tribute to Trenorden at the party's state conference, stating, "He was a formidable parliamentarian who dedicated more than a quarter of a century to representing the people of the Wheatbelt and regional WA." Gillett added, "His contribution to the National Party and the communities he represented will be remembered for many years to come."

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His contribution to the National Party and the communities he represented will be remembered for many years to come.

A farmer from Wyalkatchem in the Wheatbelt, Trenorden was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1986 for the seat of Avon, which he held until its abolition in 2008. He then represented the Agricultural Region in the Legislative Council from 2009 to 2013. After failing to secure preselection in 2013, he ran as an independent, stating his belief that the run was worthwhile to raise important issues.

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Max was born and raised in the Wheatbelt, and throughout his political career he never lost sight of the people and communities that sent him to parliament.

Nationals WA leader Shane Love described Trenorden as one of the most respected politicians from regional WA. "Max was born and raised in the Wheatbelt, and throughout his political career he never lost sight of the people and communities that sent him to parliament," Love said. "Max understood that strong regional communities are fundamental to the strength of our state, and he spent his life fighting for them."

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Max understood that strong regional communities are fundamental to the strength of our state, and he spent his life fighting for them.