Keith Russack

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Edwin Keith Russack OAM (2 April 1918 – 26 February 1999),[1] known as Keith Russack, was a politician in the State of South Australia.

History[]

Russack was born at Kadina, South Australia, the youngest son of Alfred Hermann Russack (1879 – 5 November 1951) and his wife Rosa. A. H. Russack was a jeweller who had served his apprenticeship with J. M. Wendt, and Keith trained as a watchmaker and was employed at his father's business in Kadina.[2] He enlisted with the 2nd AIF early in 1940 and saw action in South-east Asia. He maintained his involvement with the military, and in 1952 was Captain of C Company 27th Infantry Battalion (South Australian Scottish Regiment).[3]

By 1953 he had two jewellery and gift stores in Kadina.[4]

He was in September 1970 elected as a Liberal candidate for a Midland district seat in the Legislative Council made vacant by the death of Colin Rowe. In 1973 he won the seat of Gouger in the House of Assembly, succeeding Steele Hall. At the 1977 elections the seat of Gouger had been abolished, and Russack was not preselected for any seat, so stood as an Independent Liberal for Goyder, which he won, and subsequently rejoined the Liberal Party and held the seat until 1982, when he retired, to be succeeded by John Meier.[5]

Other activities[]

He was Mayor of the Corporate Town of Kadina (as also was Liberal Premier John Olsen) from 1968 to 1971, a charter member of Kadina Rotary Club from 1959, and director of the first Kernewek Lowender Festival. He was awarded an OAM in 1989.[6][7]

Family[]

He married Ruth Boaden Trenwith (21 November 1920 – 27 August 2000) of Kadina in February 1943. They had three sons: Rodger, Lee and Mark.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ "Former Member of Parliament Details". South Australian Parliament. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Russacks Jewellers History Page". Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  3. ^ ""Marching In" Parade For N.S. Trainees". The Advertiser. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 23 April 1952. p. 5. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  4. ^ "Kadina". The News. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 22 July 1953. p. 14. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  5. ^ Goyder, 2014 election: Poll Bludger
  6. ^ "Members of the Order of Australia". Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  7. ^ Matthews, Penny (1986), South Australia, the civic record, 1836-1986, Wakefield Press, p. 407, ISBN 978-0-949268-82-2
South Australian Legislative Council
Preceded by Member for Midland District
1970–1973 		Succeeded by
South Australian House of Assembly
Preceded by Member for Gouger
1973–1977 		Seat abolished
Preceded by Member for Goyder
1977–1982 		Succeeded by
John Meier
Retrieved from ""