Colin McKellar

Gerald Colin McKellar (29 May 1903 – 13 April 1970) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the Country Party and served as a Senator for New South Wales from 1958 until his death in 1970. He was Minister for Repatriation from 1964 to 1969. He was a World War II veteran and grazier before entering parliament.

Early life McKellar was born on 29 May 1903 in Gulgong, New South Wales. He was the son of Margaret Jane (née Travis) and Gerald Murdoch McKellar. His father was a farmer.

McKellar lived in the Mendooran district until 1907.

Political career

McKellar joined the Gilgandra branch of the Country Party in the late 1920s. He was elected as the branch chairman in 1947 and served on the party's state executive from 1949 to 1970, including as chairman from 1957 to 1959. He also served on the party's federal council (1957–1959, 1962–1969) and Federal Executive (1957–1959, 1968–1969).

McKellar was elected to the Senate at the 1958 federal election, running on the Country Party ticket in New South Wales. He was elected to fill the remainder of the term of Australian Labor Party (ALP) senator Bill Ashley, who had died in office. He was re-elected to six-year terms in his own right at the 1961 and 1967 elections.

McKellar's maiden speech focused on national development, defence and wool. He had previously been hospitalised after a heart attack in February 1970. He was granted a state funeral at St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Sydney, and was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.