| The Honourable Major Geoffrey Street MC MP | |
|---|---|
| |
| Minister of Defence | |
In office 1938–1940 | |
| Prime Minister | Robert Menzies |
| Preceded by | Harold Thorby |
| Succeeded by | Robert Menzies |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Corangamite | |
In office 15 September 1934 – 13 August 1940 | |
| Preceded by | William Gibson |
| Succeeded by | Allan McDonald |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 January 1894 Woollahra, New South Wales |
| Died | 13 August 1940 (aged 46) Canberra air disaster, 1940 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | United Australia Party |
| Spouse(s) | Evora Francis Currie |
| Relations | Street family |
| Children | Tony Street |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Imperial Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
Major Geoffrey Austin Street, MC MP (21 January 1894 – 13 August 1940) was an Australian politician who served as Minister of Defence at the outbreak of the Second World War and a member of the , representing the Division of Corangamite from 1934 until his death in the Canberra air disaster in 1940. He was recognised with a Military Cross for his courage while serving with the Australian Imperial Force during the Gallipoli Campaign in the First World War.
Early life and military service[]
Street was born in the Sydney suburb of Woollahra and educated at Sydney Grammar School and the University of Sydney. In 1914, he volunteered for military service with the Australian Imperial Force and was wounded in the Gallipoli landing and later served in France and Belgium. In 1919, Street was discharged with the rank of major.
Street married Evora Francis Currie in 1918 and purchased part of his father-in-law's property in the Western District of Victoria and became a successful sheep grazier and local politician. He became a councillor of Hampden Shire Council in 1924 and its president in 1931–1932.[1]
Political career[]
At the request of Robert Menzies, Street stood for and won Corangamite in 1934. He became Minister of Defence in November 1938 and played a major role in the expansion of the military and munitions production prior to the outbreak of the Second World War and pushed the National Registration Act (1939) through parliament despite strong opposition. Following the outbreak of war he worked energetically to put Australia on a war footing, although from November 1939, Menzies abolished the position of Minister for Defence and appointed Street Minister for the Army and Minister for Repatriation.
Street died in the Canberra air disaster, 1940, along with two other Cabinet ministers. His son, Tony Street, was Member for Corangamite from 1966 to 1983, and Foreign Minister in Malcolm Fraser's government.[1]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hazlehurst, Cameron. "Street, Geoffrey Austin (1894–1940)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120135b.htm. Retrieved 10 August 2007.
The original article can be found at Geoffrey Street and the edit history here.