Labour Australia

Albert Kersten (1891‑1960) mining engine-driver and trade union official 

Birth; 21 March 1891 at Broken Hill, New South Wales, son of Theodore Kersten (1862-1945), born at Hurl, Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, and native-born Mary Ann, née Sullivan (1865-1927). Marriage: 3 April 1914 at Broken Hill to Alesia Florine Mary Rafferty (1897-1952), born in Broken Hill. They had three daughters and six sons. Death: 9 October 1960 at Broken Hill. Religion: Catholic. 

• Educated in Broken Hill. At 13 worked for Broken Hill Pty Ltd as an office boy, then in 1908 took position as cleaner in winding engine‑house. For twenty-two years was employed by BHP as an engine-driver on various plants and was a driver in the power plant when the mine closed down.
• Joined the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen’s Association (FEDFA). Elected to local FEDFA management committee in 1928; became branch secretary in 1933, retaining position until death.
• Australian Labor Party candidate for Federal seat of Darling in 1939.
• Vice‑president of Barrier Industrial Council (BIC), working closely with E. P O'Neill. A key player in the BIC securing the removal of the earnings cap on the Broken Hill lead bonus in the 1943 mines agreement.
• Succeeded O'Neill as BIC president 1949, resigning due to ill-health in 1956.
• Took an active part in friendly society work.

Sources
photo and profile, Barrier Daily Truth, 7 September 1933, p 5.