Kerry Sibraa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kerry Sibraa
|
|
|---|---|
| President of the Senate | |
| In office 17 February 1987 – 31 January 1994 |
|
| Preceded by | Doug McClelland |
| Succeeded by | Michael Beahan |
| Senator for New South Wales | |
| In office 13 December 1975 – 30 June 1978 |
|
| In office 9 August 1978 – 1 February 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Jim McClelland |
| Succeeded by | Belinda Neal |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 October 1937 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Labor |
| Spouses |
Yvonne Melvin
(m. 1957; div. 1992)Julie Hatcher
(m. 1993) |
| Occupation | Clerk Trade unionist |
Kerry Walter Sibraa (born 12 October 1937) is a former Australian politician. He was a very important person in the Australian Parliament.
Mr. Sibraa was a Senator for New South Wales. He held this role from 1975 to 1994. He was part of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). From 1987 to 1994, he was the President of the Senate. This is a very high position in the Australian Parliament.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Kerry Sibraa was born in Sydney, Australia, on 12 October 1937. His parents were Edna May and Arthur Francis Sibraa.
His father was a schoolteacher. Because of his father's job, Kerry moved a lot as a child. He went to schools in different towns. These included Condobolin, Ungarie, and Newcastle.
He started high school at Newcastle Boys High School. Later, his family moved back to Sydney. He finished his high school studies there. He attended North Sydney Boys High School and Manly Boys High School.
After high school, Kerry Sibraa worked as a clerk. He worked for the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board. He also worked for Manly Municipal Council. He was active in a union for council employees. He even helped start a credit union for them.
Political Career
Joining Politics
Kerry Sibraa joined the Australian Labor Party in 1960. He first tried to become a politician in 1966. He ran for a seat called Wentworth. He did not win that election.
After that, he started working full-time for the Labor Party. He was an organiser from 1969 to 1971. Then he became an administrative officer. From 1973 to 1975, he was an assistant general secretary. He was a key member of a group within the Labor Party.
Serving as a Senator
Mr. Sibraa became a Senator for New South Wales. He served two terms in the Senate. His first term was from 1975 to 1978. His second term was from 1978 to 1994.
During his time as a Senator, he reached a very important position. He became the President of the Senate. He held this role from 1987 to 1994. The President of the Senate is like the speaker of the Senate. They make sure meetings run smoothly.
Life After Parliament
After leaving Parliament in 1994, Kerry Sibraa continued to serve Australia. He became the Australian High Commissioner to Zimbabwe. This means he was Australia's top representative in that country. He held this job from 1994 to 1998.
In 1997, he received a special award. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. This award was for his service to the Australian Parliament. It also recognised his work in international relations and for the community. In 2001, he received the Centenary Medal.
After his time as High Commissioner, Mr. Sibraa worked as a special adviser. He worked for a company that helps with public relations.
Personal Life
Kerry Sibraa married Yvonne Melvin in 1957. They had two children together. They later divorced in 1992. The following year, in 1993, he married Julie Hatcher.
