Renfrey Curgenven De Garis AM (12 October 1921 – 5 February 2007), generally known as "Ren DeGaris", was a businessman, pastoralist and politician in the State of

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

History

He was born at "Tremorvah", Millicent, a son of Ralph Edwin DeGaris and Mrs DeGaris née Curgenven. On leaving college, he worked for the Millicent branch of the family firm of DeGaris, Sons & Co., (in 1947 merged into Elder, Smith and Co.) stock and station agents of Naracoorte. He enlisted with the

RAAF "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colours = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = RAAF Anniversary Commemoration ...

in 1941. His younger brother William Sowden DeGaris, also with the RAAF, was killed over Germany in 1945. He served as councillor with the Millicent District Council from 1948 to 1954. He was elected in December 1962 for the

Liberal and Country League Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and ...

(Liberal Party) to a Southern district seat in the Legislative Council, and remained a member, through the reversion in 1975 of that House to a single constituency, until November 1985. He served as Chief Secretary, Minister for Health and Minister for Mines from April 1968 to June 1970. As Leader of the Legislative Council, he clashed with Premier

Steele Hall Raymond Steele Hall (born 30 November 1928) is a former Australian politician who served as the 36th Premier of South Australia from 1968 to 1970. He also served in the federal Parliament as a senator for South Australia from 1974 to 1977 and f ...

, a fellow Liberal, over the latter's plan to reform the franchise of the Upper House, a move that severely disadvantaged his own party's gerrymander.

Recognition

He was appointed a

Member of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

(AM) in June 1981 "In recognition of service to the community and to parliament and government".

Family

He married Norma Florence Willson, of

Penneshaw Penneshaw is a township in the Australian state of South Australia located on the northeast coast of the Dudley Peninsula on Kangaroo Island about south of the state capital of Adelaide. It is the island's main ferry port with regular services ...

, Kangaroo Island, around 1950.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:DeGaris. Renfrey Curgenven Australian pastoralists Liberal and Country League politicians Members of the South Australian Legislative Council 1921 births 2007 deaths People from Millicent, South Australia 20th-century Australian politicians Members of the Order of Australia