Magnus Cameron Cormack (1903 - 1994)

Born 12 Feb 1903 in Wick, Caithness, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (MacMeikan) Cormack — married 1935 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Died 28 Nov 1994 at age 91 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Anonymous Cormack [send private message]

Biography

Magnus Cormack is Notable.

Senator Sir Magnus Cormack KBE was a Scottish-born Australian farmer, soldier and parliamentarian. He was a member of the Liberal Party and served multiple terms as a Senator for Victoria (1951–1953, 1962–1978), including as President of the Senate from 1971 to 1974.

Magnus Cameron Cormack was born on 12th February 1903 in the Scottish Highlands in Wick, Caithness, Scotland, United Kingdom. He was the eldest of five children of Doctor William Cormack and Violet Cameron. ^[1] The family migrated to Australia about 1912 whilst he was yet a child, settling on the Eyre Peninsula south of Whyalla, South Australia.

Having begun his formal education in Scotland, Magnus attended a state school in Tumby Bay and then boarded at St Peter's College, Adelaide.

Magnus worked as a production manager with Holden from 1926 to 1931, before taking up dairy farming. By 1934, he and his brothers John and William had acquired Koijak, a grazing property near Apsley, Victoria, close to the South Australian border.

Magnus married divorcee Mary (known as Mavis) Isabel MacMeikan on 22nd November 1935 at the registrar's office in Melbourne. ^[2] The couple subsequently had four children together.

In July 1940 Magnus was 'called up' for his compulsory three-months of military training with the Australian Military Force (Militia). He was posted to the anti-aircraft regiments at Puckapunyal and Werribee, both in Victoria. He re-enlisted in June 1941 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant receiving postings to the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Headquarters Australian Imperial Force, and the Staff College. He transferred to the Second Australian Imperial Force in August 1942. In July 1943, he arrived in Port Moresby, Papua (then an Australian territory) as part of the headquarters staff of the II Corps. He was transferred to the New Guinea Force in January 1944, where he spent four months before leaving for Townsville and receiving his discharge. He finished the war with the rank of Major and was Mentioned in Despatches, equivalent to today's Commendation for Gallantry, for 'gallant and distinguished service in Papua'.

He was elected to the Australian Senate in 1951, serving for just two years. He was elected once more in 1962, serving until 1978. From 1971 to 1974, he was the President of the Senate.

After leaving politics he served as chairman of radio station 3XY.

In the New Year Honours 1970, Magnus was created Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) 'in recognition of service to political and public service'. ^[3]

Aged 91 years and widowed, he passed away on 28th November 1994 in Melbourne. He was survived by his children and their families.

Sources

1. ↑ unsubstantiated family records
2. ↑ Victoria Marriage Index #13522/1935
3. ↑ Australian Honours: KBE; accessed 19 Apr 2024

See also:

• Brown, Geoffrey. 'CORMACK, SIR MAGNUS CAMERON (1906–1994)'. The Biographical Dictionary of the Australian Senate; accessed 19 Apr 2024>
• Wikipedia: Magnus Cormack; accessed 19 Apr 2024.