Tributes as Harold Allison, former Liberal member for Mount Gambier and beloved schoolteacher, dies aged 94

People from across the state’s South-East have shared memories of a respected former Liberal MP and popular schoolteacher who passed away on Saturday.

Former Liberal minister Harold Allison passed away in his sleep aged 94. Picture: Kathryn Birmingham

Mount Gambier is mourning the loss of its former local Liberal member, Harold Allison, after he passed away in his sleep aged 94 on Saturday.

Mr Allison was the member for Mount Gambier from 1975 to 1997, serving on the Tonkin Government as Minister for Education, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Deputy Speaker of the House.

His daughter Fiona Puckridge on Sunday shared the news “with immense sadness”, writing on Facebook that he was a passionate advocate for the state’s South-East and had put himself forward as a “politician of the people”.

“(He was) never concerned with a person’s political leanings, but rather focusing on their personal concerns and how he could assist,” she said.

A former teacher, Mr Allison became the Minister for Education in the Tonkin Government. Picture: Neon Martin

Ms Puckridge said Mr Allison had also been a “brilliant” teacher and senior librarian at Mount Gambier High School before entering politics.

In her social media post, she said her father died peacefully in his sleep, survived by two children, seven grandchildren and a great grandchild.

Mr Allison’s former students and constituents responded to the post with tributes, with one commenter calling him a “great and humble man”.

“I heard a story from a friend a few years ago,” the commenter wrote. “She was having her car put through a car wash. To her amazement, Harold was doing the final polish to help a family member who owned the car wash. It sums him up – a special and very decent man.”

Mr Allison retiring after cleaning out his office in Mount Gambier. Picture: Pat Hannagan

Mr Allison was the member for Mount Gambier from 1975 to 1997. Picture: Supplied

Harold Allison and daughter Fiona Puckridge on Christmas Day in 2024. Picture: Supplied

Others called him a “great teacher and a dedicated local MP”, “a great MP, unlike any we have had since,” and “one of my favourite teachers at high school”.

“No one else could make a story come alive as he did when reading from a book in front of a class,” a former student said.

In a testament to his lasting popularity, more than 700 people on a Mount Gambier Facebook page last year responded to a photo Ms Puckridge posted of herself with her father on Christmas Day, with many praising his work as a politician and teacher.