Mac Holten

The Honourable Mac Holten CMG
Member of the Australian Parliament for Indi
In office 22 November 1958 – 10 December 1977
Preceded by	William Bostock
Succeeded by	Ewen Cameron
Personal details
Born	(1922-03-29)29 March 1922 Melbourne
Died	12 October 1996(1996-10-12) (aged 74)
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Australian Country Party
Occupation	Footballer

Rendle McNeilage "Mac" Holten CMG (29 March 1922 – 12 October 1996) was a leading Australian rules footballer, Australian politician and government minister.

Holten was born in Melbourne and educated at Scotch College, Melbourne. He left school at 16 to sell life insurance, but with the outbreak of World War II joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940 as a flying instructor and test pilot. He retired in 1946 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant and became a grocer. He kicked 83 goals in 82 games for Collingwood Football Club where he played in three losing Preliminary Finals^[1] and was also Vice-Captain of the Melbourne Cricket Club at one time. On 1949 he moved to Wangaratta to coach the Wangaratta Football Club.^[2][3]

Political career

Holten was elected as the Country Party member for Indi in the Australian House of Representatives from the 1958 election until his defeat by the Liberal candidate at the 1977 election. He was Minister for Repatriation from November 1969 to the McMahon government's defeat at the 1972 election. As minister he introduced bills, the Native Members of the Forces Benefits Bill 1972 and the Repatriation (Torres Strait Islanders) Bill 1972, to abolish discrimination in the level of benefits for indigenous Australians who had served in World War II.^[2][4][5]

Holten was Administrator of Christmas Island from 1980 to 1982. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for his parliamentary and community service in 1980. He was survived by his wife, Shirley, and three daughters.^[2][3][6]

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