Geoffrey Giles

Who was Geoffrey Giles?

Geoffrey O'Halloran Giles was an Australian politician. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, 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 military from 1942 to 1945 during World War II. In 1959, he was elected to the South Australian Legislative Council as a Liberal and Country League member. 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. 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. He died in 1990.