Neil Cole (politician)
Encyclopedia
Neil Donald Cole is an Australian playwright, researcher and former politician.
, and spent his early years in Malaysia where his father was a military police
officer in the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
stationed at RAAF Butterworth in Penang
. When his father was re-assigned to Point Cook
, the family moved into the housing commission high-rise flats in North Melbourne where Cole attended Flemington High School, and Kyneton High School in 1974. In 1980, he graduated with a law degree from the University of Melbourne
, and in the same year, founded the Flemington Community Legal Service where he worked as a community lawyer for seven years.
for three years in the 1980s.
In 1988, Cole decided to run for the safe Labor seat of Melbourne
in the Victorian Parliament. Preselection for Melbourne was considered "unwinnable", given that the candidacy for the seat was already earmarked for ALP state secretary Jenny Beacham. Aware that he was "supposed" to lose by nine votes, Cole worked the numbers and managed to win pre-selection, subsequently winning the seat at the 1988 state election. In 1992, he was promoted to Joan Kirner
's shadow cabinet as Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs and Shadow Attorney-General.
Early in his political career, Cole had suffered a number of mental breakdowns. In 1993, he was diagnosed with manic-depressive disorder
. In 1995, Cole's condition became public knowledge as it was leaked to the media by his political enemies, and he publicly declared that he suffered from mental illness, stood down as Shadow Attorney-General, and was admitted to The Melbourne Clinic shortly afterwards. Following the revelation of his illness, Cole was re-elected as MLA for Melbourne in the 1996 election, a win he described as the "most gratifying thing" in his parliamentary career. His political career ended in 1999, when he lost preselection for Melbourne in the 1999 election to Bronwyn Pike
, who was subsequently elected.
. His first play, Alive at Williamstown Pier, won the Griffin Award for New Australian Playwriting in 1999. In 2001, he was awarded the Centenary Medal
for service to Australian society and literature.
Cole's debut novel, Colonel Surry's Insanity, was published in 2010. The novel, about a fictional soldier (John Surry) who pleads not guilty to a charge of theft on the grounds of insanity, was based on interviews with twenty sufferers of manic depression, as well as his own perspective.
School of Medicine, and is also a member of the National Advisory Council on Mental Health established in 2008.
Early life
Cole was born in Millicent, South AustraliaMillicent, South Australia
Millicent is a town in South Australia, south-east of Adelaide, and north of Mount Gambier. At the 2006 Census, the population was 4,771.The town is home to the Millicent National Trust Museum, and is nearby to the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park and the Canunda National Park.The Millicent...
, and spent his early years in Malaysia where his father was a military police
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
officer in the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
The Royal Australian Corps of Military Police is a corps within the Australian Army. Previously known as the Australian Army Provost Corps, it was formed on 3 April 1916 as the ANZAC Provost Corps...
stationed at RAAF Butterworth in Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
. When his father was re-assigned to Point Cook
RAAF Williams
RAAF Williams comprises the two bases of Point Cook and Laverton. Both establishments previously existed as separate RAAF Bases until 1999 when they were amalgamated to form RAAF Williams...
, the family moved into the housing commission high-rise flats in North Melbourne where Cole attended Flemington High School, and Kyneton High School in 1974. In 1980, he graduated with a law degree from the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, and in the same year, founded the Flemington Community Legal Service where he worked as a community lawyer for seven years.
Political career
Cole first entered politics at a local level, serving on the Melbourne City CouncilCity of Melbourne
The City of Melbourne is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the central city area of Melbourne. The city has an area of 36 square kilometres and has an estimated population of 93,105 people. The city's motto is "Vires acquirit eundo" which means "She gathers strength as she...
for three years in the 1980s.
In 1988, Cole decided to run for the safe Labor seat of Melbourne
Electoral district of Melbourne
The Electoral district of Melbourne is an electorate of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It is currently based around the localities of Carlton, North Carlton, Melbourne, East Melbourne, West Melbourne, North Melbourne, Parkville, Newmarket, Kensington and Flemington, and includes Melbourne...
in the Victorian Parliament. Preselection for Melbourne was considered "unwinnable", given that the candidacy for the seat was already earmarked for ALP state secretary Jenny Beacham. Aware that he was "supposed" to lose by nine votes, Cole worked the numbers and managed to win pre-selection, subsequently winning the seat at the 1988 state election. In 1992, he was promoted to Joan Kirner
Joan Kirner
Joan Elizabeth Kirner AM , Australian politician, was the 42nd Premier of Victoria, the first woman to hold the position, which she held for two years prior to a landslide election defeat.-Biography:...
's shadow cabinet as Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs and Shadow Attorney-General.
Early in his political career, Cole had suffered a number of mental breakdowns. In 1993, he was diagnosed with manic-depressive disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
. In 1995, Cole's condition became public knowledge as it was leaked to the media by his political enemies, and he publicly declared that he suffered from mental illness, stood down as Shadow Attorney-General, and was admitted to The Melbourne Clinic shortly afterwards. Following the revelation of his illness, Cole was re-elected as MLA for Melbourne in the 1996 election, a win he described as the "most gratifying thing" in his parliamentary career. His political career ended in 1999, when he lost preselection for Melbourne in the 1999 election to Bronwyn Pike
Bronwyn Pike
Bronwyn Pike is an Australian politician. She was Minister for Education in Victoria in the Brumby Government, and is the State Member of Parliament for Melbourne.-Early life:...
, who was subsequently elected.
Writing career
Since leaving politics, Cole has written over twelve plays, most of them performed by La Mama TheatreLa Mama Theatre (Melbourne)
The La Mama Theatre is a theatrical venue located at 205 Faraday St, Carlton, Victoria. It opened in a former factory building on 30 July 1967 and still operates today under the direction of Liz Jones....
. His first play, Alive at Williamstown Pier, won the Griffin Award for New Australian Playwriting in 1999. In 2001, he was awarded the Centenary Medal
Centenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
for service to Australian society and literature.
Cole's debut novel, Colonel Surry's Insanity, was published in 2010. The novel, about a fictional soldier (John Surry) who pleads not guilty to a charge of theft on the grounds of insanity, was based on interviews with twenty sufferers of manic depression, as well as his own perspective.
Academic career
Cole is an Associate Professor at the Monash UniversityMonash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
School of Medicine, and is also a member of the National Advisory Council on Mental Health established in 2008.