Mac Holten

The Honourable
Mac Holten
CMG
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Indi
In office
22 November 1958 – 10 December 1977
Preceded by William Bostock
Succeeded by Ewen Cameron
Personal details
Born (1922-03-29)29 March 1922
Melbourne
Died 12 October 1996(1996-10-12) (aged 74)
Nationality Australian
Political party Australian Country Party
Occupation Footballer

Rendle McNeilage "Mac" Holten CMG (29 March 1922 – 12 October 1996) was a leading Australian rules footballer, Australian politician and government minister.

Holten was born in Melbourne and educated at Scotch College, Melbourne. He left school at 16 to sell life insurance, but with the outbreak of World War II joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940 as a flying instructor and test pilot. He retired in 1946 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant and became a grocer. He kicked 83 goals in 82 games for Collingwood Football Club where he played in three losing Preliminary Finals[1] and was also Vice-Captain of the Melbourne Cricket Club at one time. On 1949 he moved to Wangaratta to coach the Wangaratta Football Club.[2][3]

Political career

Holten was elected as the Country Party member for Indi in the Australian House of Representatives from the 1958 election until his defeat by the Liberal candidate at the 1977 election. He was Minister for Repatriation from November 1969 to the McMahon government's defeat at the 1972 election. As minister he introduced bills, the Native Members of the Forces Benefits Bill 1972 and the Repatriation (Torres Strait Islanders) Bill 1972, to abolish discrimination in the level of benefits for indigenous Australians who had served in World War II.[2][4][5]

Holten was Administrator of Christmas Island from 1980 to 1982. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for his parliamentary and community service in 1980. He was survived by his wife, Shirley, and three daughters.[2][3][6]

Notes

  1. ↑ Mac Holten's profile from AustralianFootball.com
  2. 1 2 3 Howard, John (17 October 1996). "Condolences: Holten, Hon. Rendle McNeilage, CMG". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  3. 1 2 McGauran, Peter (17 October 1996). "Condolences: Holten, Hon. Rendle McNeilage, CMG". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  4. ↑ Scott, Bruce (17 October 1996). "Condolences: Holten, Hon. Rendle McNeilage, CMG". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  5. ↑ Beazley, Kim (17 October 1996). "Condolences: Holten, Hon. Rendle McNeilage, CMG". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  6. ↑ Fischer, Tim (17 October 1996). "Condolences: Holten, Hon. Rendle McNeilage, CMG". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
Political offices
Preceded by
Colin McKellar		 Minister for Repatriation
1969–72 		Succeeded by
Reg Bishop
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Bill Bostock		 Member for Indi
1958–77 		Succeeded by
Ewen Cameron
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