Kevin Philip Hardiman

Preston Mayor 1967-1968

Kevin Hardiman was born in Essendon in 1915 and educated at local schools before joining the Trade Union Movement and Australian Labor Party in 1931. A keen footballer, Hardiman represented both Essendon and South Adelaide before captaining Norwood Football Club to a premiership in 1941. Hardiman served with the 2nd A.I.F. in World War Two before relocating to Preston in 1947. Still active in sports he played and coached the Preston Seconds, founded the Reservoir Old Boys’ Football and hockey clubs, and coached the Preston Athletics Club. He later was an accredited coach to the 1956 Australian Olympic team and an original member of the World Federation of Athletic Coaches. Hardiman was elected to the Preston Council in 1961, serving as Mayor in 1967-8. Amongst Hardiman’s other achievements he was a Life Governor of PANCH, Chairman of the Northern Suburbs Public Park Development Committee, Chairman of the Preston Peace Committee, and Chairman of the Preston City Council Social Services Committee.

Preston Historical Society (1968) Brief biographies of prominent Preston People. Preston Vic.:Author