Education

Falkiner was educated at Geelong Church of England Grammar School, and in 1878 the family moved to the Riverina as a result of Otway"s asthma.

Career

Franc managed the family properties for some time, and in 1909 became managing director of F. South. Falkiner & Sons Limited on the death of his father. A brusque and humorous politician, Falkiner derided Labor Prime Minister Andrew Fisher"s 1912 maternity allowance as a "bangle bonus". On his departure from politics, Falkiner concentrated on breeding sheep, and was president of the Southern Riverina Pastoralists" Union, one of the founders of the Australian Study Merino Flock Register, and a director of the Bank of New South Wales from 1919-1929.

Achievements

• He won the seat of Riverina in 1913, representing the Commonwealth Liberal Party, but lost it to the former member, John Chanter, the following year. He won Hume in 1917 for the Nationalist Party, but was defeated in his attempt to transfer to the Senate in 1919.

Membership

A founding member of Conargo Shire Council (formed in 1906), Falkiner"s political interests were awakened by the 1910 Federal land tax, which prompted him to enter the Australian House of Representatives.