He went on to become a dairy farmer, settling at Willow Grove near Trafalgar in the Latrobe Valley of Gippsland, Victoria.

In 1964, he entered Cabinet as Minister of Water Supply and Mines, a portfolio that was reorganised to become Lands, Soldier Settlement and Conservation a few months later.

In 1977 he became Minister for Minerals and Energy, a position from which he resigned in 1981, in readiness for his retirement at the 1982 election.

In 1981, his service was honoured with a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Following retirement from politics at the Victorian state election in 1982, he was involved in the regional Technical and Further Education (TAFE)program and other community activities, particularly in the Latrobe Valley.