Ernest White

Sir Ernest Keith White CBE, MC (14 August 1892 – 1 August 1983) was an Australian timber merchant and political activist.

Early life and education Ernest Keith White was born on 14 August 1892 at Gosford to timber contractor Robert John White and Bertha, née Davis.

After the war, White returned to work with his father's timber business, moving the headquarters to Sydney. Based in Strathfield, he also bought a timber property near Gloucester and developed land at Terrigal, Wamberal, and Forresters Beach. Initially sitting on the provisional executive, he soon resigned in April 1945, standing as an independent for the federal seat of Warringah in 1954; this led to his expulsion from the Liberal Party.

Other activities White helped to establish the British-American Cooperation Movement for World Peace in July 1936 (which became the Australian-American Association in 1941 ), and served as federal and state president. He was also significantly involved in the creation of the Australian-American Memorial in Canberra.

Honours He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1954, Commander in 1967, and was knighted in 1969.

Personal life White married schoolteacher Pauline Marjory Mason, daughter of the mayor of Gosford, on 15 November 1915. He owned several successful racehorses, which helped finance an opulent house built in 1936.

He died on 1 August 1983 at North Sydney, survived by his wife and two daughters, his son having been killed during World War II.