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Alfred Francis (Frank) Kneebone (1905–2004)

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Alfred Francis (Frank) Kneebone (1905-2004) linotype operator, trade union official and parliamentarian

Birth: 16 November 1905 at Coolgardie, Western Australia, son of native-born parents Henry Kneebone (1876-1933), journalist and Australian Senator, and Henrietta White. Marriage: 1932 at Perth, WA, to native-born Elvie Jean Krachler (1912-1993). They had two children. Death: 18 February 2004 at Semaphore Park, South Australia.

  • His father was a founding member and secretary of the Western Australian Goldfields sub-branch of the Printing Industry Employees’ Union of Australia (PIEUA) and Senator for South Australia.
  • Frank gained the trade of hand and machine composition on the Daily Herald, Adelaide’s one-time daily newspaper. Joined PIEUA as an apprentice in 1924. Worked for several commercial printing offices in Adelaide.
  • Transferred to Western Australia and later returned to Adelaide.
  • Federal vice-president of the PIEUA from 1952 to 1961. Secretary of the South Australian branch of the PIEUA from 1951 to 1961. Branch delegate, PIEUA Council, 1951-1961.
  • Part-time instructor, Adelaide Printers’ Trade School instructing Commonwealth Reconstruction Trainees 1946-1951.
  • Elected a member of the Legislative Council of South Australia on 16 September 1961 (ALP). Served on four parliamentary committees and held several portfolios, including Minister of Labour and Industry 10 March 1965 to 16 April 1968, Minister of Lands 2 June 1970 to 9 June 1975, and Chief Secretary 21 March 1973 to 9 June 1975. Leader of the Labor Party in the Upper House.
  • Executive member, ALP South Australia; PIEUA delegate, South Australian branch, to ALP conferences; Vice-President, Trades and Labor Council, SA 1960-1961; president 1961. TLC representative on the Apprenticeship Board, SA, 1958-1961, 1961-1963.
  • He held his Legislative Council seat until 12 July 1975 when the Council reverted to being elected by the State as a single electorate.

Sources
Printing Trades Journal, September? 1961 p 157, April 1973 p 55.

Additional Resources and Scholarship

Citation details

'Kneebone, Alfred Francis (Frank) (1905–2004)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/kneebone-alfred-francis-frank-34203/text42916, accessed 1 June 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

16 November, 1905
Coolgardie, Western Australia, Australia

Death

18 February, 2004 (aged 98)
Semaphore, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation or Descriptor
Key Organisations
Political Activism
Workplaces