A state memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr Steele Hall will be held at 2pm on Monday 1 July 2024 at the Adelaide Festival Centre.
Hosted by the Government of South Australia, the state memorial service will honour Mr Steele Hall’s life and his contribution to South Australian politics.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and pay their respects. Guests are required to register their attendance via the Adelaide Festival Centre website.
Order of Precedence and family
Please contact the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Diplomatic Relations and Protocol on (08) 8429 5135.
Watch the livestream
If you are unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed and available to watch here and via the SA Government Facebook page. The livestream will be available from 1:55pm.
About Mr Steele Hall
Born in Balaklava in 1928, he entered parliament in 1959, representing the seat of Gouger. He succeeded Sir Thomas Playford as leader of the Liberal and Country League in 1966 and became South Australia’s 36th premier in 1968.
His parliamentary career spanned more than 33 years. He was the only Australian to serve as premier of a state as well as the member of three legislatures. He spent more than 20 of those years sitting on opposition or cross-benches.
His leadership was imbued with his steadfast obedience to what he recognised as the best interests of South Australia, and he leaves behind a reputation for integrity and political courage.
By introducing landmark legislation that changed the way rural voters were weighted during elections, he reformed the state’s electoral system.
Other significant reforms and actions under his leadership were in areas including abortion access, Aboriginal affairs and the state's natural gas industry, and his opposition to a dam at Chowilla in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Switching from state to federal politics in 1974, Mr Hall was elected to the Senate where he served until 1977, and was the Member for Boothby in the House of Representatives from 1981 to 1996.
With a parliamentary career spanning more than 33 years, Mr Hall was the only Australian to serve as premier of a state as well as the member of three legislatures, and was the leader of two political parties, one of which he founded.
He is survived by his wife Joan, six children and six grandchildren.
The artist, Mr Robert Hannaford AM, has granted permission for use of the portrait.