Eric Kent
Daniel Eric Kent OAM (30 June 1919 – 26 April 2019)[1] was an Australian politician, elected as a member of the Victorian Legislative Council in 1970.
Eric Kent OAM | |
|---|---|
 The Hon Daniel Eric Kent OAM in April 2011 | |
| Minister for Agriculture | |
| In office 8 April 1982 – 14 March 1985 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Austin |
| Succeeded by | Evan Walker |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Council | |
| In office 30 May 1970 – 19 March 1976 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur Hewson |
| Succeeded by | James Allister Taylor |
| Constituency | Gippsland Province |
| In office 5 May 1979 – 14 July 1985 | |
| Succeeded by | Maureen Lyster |
| Constituency | Chelsea Province |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Daniel Eric Kent 30 June 1919 Areegra, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 26 April 2019 (aged 99) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Labor |
| Spouse(s) | Bette Wallis ( m. 1949) |
| Children | Three |
| Occupation | Farmer and grazier |
Early life
Kent was born at Areegra near Warracknabeal to Daniel Kent, a wheat and wool grower, and Sophie Elizabeth, née Menzel. He attended Areegra State School and farmed on the family property until 1949, after which he farmed at Yannathan, first dairy and then beef from 1973. On 18 April 1949 he married Bette Myra Wallis, a journalist, with whom he had three children.
Career
Kent was active in various graziers' associations, including the Victorian Wheat and Woolgrowers Association, the Victorian Dairy Farmers' Association, the Australian Primary Producers' Union and the Victorian Farmers' and Graziers' Association.
He was a member of the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland Synod, serving on the Social Responsibilities Committee for 30 years.[2] He was co-author of the history of St John's Anglican Church, Lang Lang, Victoria.[3]
A life member of the Labor Party, he spent ten years as president of the McMillan federal electorate assembly, contesting the seat himself in 1963 and 1966. In 1970 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council for Gippsland Province. He was defeated in 1976, but returned to the Council in 1979 for Chelsea Province, serving as Minister of Agriculture from 1982 to 1985.[2] He held the seat until 1985, when he retired.[4]
Honours
Kent was a recipient of the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977,[5] and in 2008 was awarded the Order of Australia for "service to the community of the Gippsland district through a range of church, historical and sporting groups, and to the Parliament of Victoria."[2]
In 2015 the then Bishop of Gippsland, Kay Goldsworthy, presented him with a certificate marking over 44 years as a member of the Diocesan Synod.
References
- "Daniel Eric Kent OAM". The Age. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- "Australia Day 2008 Honours List". www.gg.gov.au. 24 April 2012. Archived from the original on 20 October 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
- Kent, D. Eric; Kent, Bette M; St. John's Anglican Church (Lang Lang, Vic.) (1999). Beams of light : 125 years of the Anglican Church of St John the Evangelist, Lang Lang. Lang Lang, Vic. : St John's Anglican Church. ISBN 0959283412.
- "Kent, (Daniel) Eric". Parliament of Victoria. 2001. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- "Silver Jubilee awards". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. No. P 7: 1–52. 1 August 1977.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tom Austin |
Minister for Agriculture 1982–1985 |
Succeeded by Evan Walker |