Kerry Sibraa

Early life

Sibraa was born in Sydney on 12 October 1937. He was the son of Edna May (née Williams) and Arthur Francis Sibraa.

Sibraa's father worked as a schoolteacher in country New South Wales and he moved frequently as a child, attending schools at Condobolin, Ungarie, Shortland and Newcastle. He began his secondary education at Newcastle Boys High School and completed it at North Sydney Boys High School and Manly Boys High School when his family moved back to Sydney.

Sibraa left school after completing his Intermediate Certificate and subsequently worked as a clerk at the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board and at Manly Municipal Council. He was an officeholder in the Municipal and Shire Council Employees' Union and was also a co-founder of the Mackellar County Council Employees' Credit Union.

Politics

Early involvement

Sibraa joined the ALP in 1960 as a member of its Narrabeen branch and first stood for parliament at the 1966 federal election, standing unsuccessfully for the safe Liberal seat of Wentworth. He subsequently began working full-time for the ALP, including as a paid organiser (1969–1971), administrative officer (1971–1973), and assistant general secretary (1973–1975). He was active in the Labor Right faction associated with state president John Ducker and federal MP Paul Keating.

Senate

Sibraa served as a Senator for from 13 December 1975 to 30 June 1978, and then again from 9 August 1978 until 1 February 1994, and was President of the Senate from 17 February 1987 to 31 January 1994. According to an article by C. J. Coventry, Sibraa had been an informer for the U.S.

Later activities

After leaving Parliament, Sibraa was the Australian High Commissioner to Zimbabwe from March 1994 until February 1998. On 26 January 1997 Sibraa was made an Officer of the Order of Australia "for service to the Parliament of Australia, to international relations and to the community." On 1 January 2001 he was awarded the Centenary Medal.

Sibraa was a special counsel for the public relations and government relations firm Wells Haslem.

Personal life

In 1957, Sibraa married Yvonne Melvin, with whom he had two children. They divorced in 1992 and the following year he married Julie Hatcher.

References

References

1. {{Cite Au Senate. Jarrod M. Jolly. (2017)
2. (2008-06-16). "Biography for SIBRAA, the Hon. Kerry Walter". Parliament of Australia Parliamentary Library.
3. Coventry, C. J., "The Eloquence of Robert J Hawke: United States informer, 1973-79", [[Australian Journal of Politics and History]], 67:1 (2021), 85.
4. Downer, Alexander. (24 February 1998). "Diplomatic Appointment- High Commissioner to Zimbabwe". Australian Government.
5. {{cite It's an Honour. (1997-01-26)
6. {{cite It's an Honour. (2001-01-01)
7. "Kerry Sibraa AO, Special Counsel". Wells Haslem.