East Torrens Who's Who
Distinguished and Famous people from East Torrens
East Torrens, located in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia, is home to several distinguished individuals. Here are some of the famous personalities associated with this region:
Sir Ross Smith (1892-1922)
Sir Ross Macpherson Smith was an Australian aviator, born in Semaphore, South Australia, which is part of the East Torrens region. He achieved worldwide fame for winning the first air race from England to Australia in 1919 along with his brother, Sir Keith Smith. The race covered a distance of approximately 11,000 miles.
Sir Keith Smith (1890-1955)
Sir Keith Macpherson Smith, also born in Semaphore, was an Australian aviator. He became renowned for winning the historic London to Sydney air race with his brother, Sir Ross Smith, in 1919. This achievement marked a significant milestone in aviation history.
Sir Hans Heysen (1877-1968)
Sir Hans Heysen was an acclaimed landscape painter who was born in Hamburg, Germany, but later immigrated to South Australia. He settled in Hahndorf, a town located in the Adelaide Hills, which is within the East Torrens region. Heysen gained significant recognition for his breathtaking depictions of the Australian bush and is considered one of Australia's greatest artists.
Sir Douglas Mawson (1882-1958)
Sir Douglas Mawson was an Australian geologist, Antarctic explorer, and academic. Although he was not born in the East Torrens region, Mawson spent a considerable portion of his life in the suburb of Kensington Gardens, situated within East Torrens. He led the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914) and made significant contributions to scientific research in Antarctica.
Nora Heysen (1911-2003)
Nora Heysen, the daughter of Sir Hans Heysen, was an accomplished Australian artist. She was born in Hahndorf, East Torrens, and became the first woman to win the Archibald Prize in 1938, a prestigious art award in Australia. Her talent and creativity greatly contributed to the advancement of Australian art.
Dame Roma Mitchell (1913-2000)
Dame Roma Mitchell was an Australian lawyer and judge. While not born in East Torrens, she spent many years residing in the suburb of Kensington Park, which is part of the region. In 1965, she became the first woman to be appointed a judge in Australia. Later, in 1981, she made history again by becoming the first female Governor of South Australia.
