Sam Calder

Stephen Edward "Sam" Calder AM, OBE, DFC (10 August 1916 – 30 September 2008) was a decorated World War II flying ace, member of the Australian House of Representatives, and one of the founders of the Northern Territory Country Liberal Party.

Trained as a pilot, Calder flew Typhoon planes throughout World War II, completing 120 missions over Europe and receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Following the end of hostilities in 1945, Calder returned to Australia and worked as the chief pilot for Northern Territory-based airline Connellan Airways.

[citation needed] Not content with this, Calder also took on the challenge of managing cattle stations the size of some European countries.

Though he seldom addressed parliament, leading to his nickname "Silent Sam",[2] Calder played an active role, pushing for development in the Northern Territory, and could claim some of the credit for the construction of the Adelaide-Alice Springs train line and several new roads.