Remembering Steele Hall

Steele Hall was farewelled last week during a State Memorial Service celebrating his life of service to our state and nation.

Steele served as the 36th Premier of South Australia, the federal Member for Boothby and a Senator for South Australia in a parliamentary career spanning from 1959 to 1996.

Steele’s life of public service was marked by his political courage and personal integrity, always steadfast in his adherence to strengthening the cause of liberal democracy.

As Premier, Steele implemented significant electoral reform that changed the way rural voters were weighted during elections, even though these reforms damaged his own chances of re-election.

Steele also oversaw important economic and social reforms in areas such as women's health and aboriginal affairs, as well as the establishment of the Adelaide Festival Theatre, which exists today due to Steele's foresight in determining its current site and successfully negotiating financial support from the Commonwealth that enabled its construction to begin.

Our state and nation are better for his service, courage and decency. His legacy should serve as an example to all those who choose to enter public service.

Vale Steele Hall.