Eric Kent

Who is Eric Kent?

Daniel Eric Kent is a former Australian politician.

Kent was born at Areegra near Warracknabeal to D. Kent, a wheat and wool grower, and Sophie Elizabeth, née Menzel. He attended Areegra State School and farmed on the family property until 1949, after which he farmed at Yannathan, first dairy and then beef from 1973. On 18 April 1949 he married Bette Myra Wallis, a journalist, with whom he had three children. He was active in various graziers' associations, including the Victorian Wheat and Woolgrowers Association, the Victorian Dairy Farmers' Association, the Australian Primary Producers' Union and the Victorian Farmers' and Graziers' Association. He was also a member of the Gippsland Anglican Synod. A member of the Australian Labor Party, he spent ten years as president of the McMillan federal electorate assembly, contesting the seat himself in 1963 and 1966. In 1970 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council for Gippsland Province. He was defeated in 1976, but returned to the Council in 1979 for Chelsea Province. He held the seat until 1985, when he retired.