Geoffrey Giles Explained

Geoffrey Giles
Constituency Mp:Angas
Parliament:Australian
Predecessor:Alec Downer
Successor:Division abolished
Term Start:20 June 1964
Term End:10 December 1977
Constituency Mp1:Wakefield
Parliament1:Australian
Predecessor1:Bert Kelly
Successor1:Neil Andrew
Term Start1:10 December 1977
Term End1:4 February 1983
Office2:Member of the
South Australian Legislative Council
Term Start2:17 February 1959
Term End2:13 May 1964
Birth Date:1923 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Adelaide, South Australia
Nationality:Australian
Party:Liberal and Country League,
Liberal Party of Australia
Occupation:Grazier
Allegiance:Australia
Branch:Royal Australian Air Force
Serviceyears:1942–1945
Rank:Flight Lieutenant
Battles:Second World War

Geoffrey O'Halloran Giles (27 June 1923 – 18 December 1990) was an Australian politician.

Giles was born in Adelaide, South Australia, a son of Hew O'Halloran Giles, and Nellie Cosford Giles (née Verco), eldest daughter of Dr. W. A. Verco. They lived at Thorngate, then "Willyama", Medindie, and he was educated in Victoria at Geelong Grammar School before returning to South Australia to attend the University of Adelaide and Roseworthy College. He became a grazier and cattle breeder, and served in the Royal Australian Air Force from 1942 to 1945 during the Second World War.

In 1959, Giles was elected to a Southern district seat in the Legislative Council as a Liberal and Country League member.[1] In 1964, he resigned to contest the by-election for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Angas, caused by the resignation of Alec Downer; he won the seat as a candidate for the LCL's federal counterpart, the Liberal Party.[2] He held Angas until its abolition in 1977. He then followed most of his constituents into neighboring Wakefield, defeating fellow Liberal Bert Kelly for preselection. Giles served as the member for Wakefield until his retirement in 1983.[3]

Giles died in 1990, aged 67.

Notes and References

  1. 4095. Geoffrey O'Halloran Giles. yes. 21 November 2022.
  2. Web site: By-elections 1963-66: Angas, SA: 20 June 1964 . 2022-11-21 . Psephos Adam Carr's Election Archive.
  3. Web site: 1980 House of Representatives: South Australia . 2022-11-21 . Psephos Adam Carr's Election Archive.