title: George Keyatta
text: # George Keyatta
  
  George Keyatta (20 December 1895 – 25 August 1962) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
  
  ## Biography
  
  Keyatta was born in Townsville, Queensland, the son of Gabriel Annick Keyatta and his wife Annie (née Sorotti) and was educated at Townsville West State School and St Mary's Convent School. Upon leaving school he was a painter and wharf labourer.
  
  In 1947 he married Emily Mary McMenamin. Keyatta died in August 1962.
  
  ## Public career
  
  Keyatta was an alderman with the Townsville City Council from 1929 to 1935. When the member for Townsville, Maurice Hynes died in March 1939, Keyatta, representing the Labor Party, won the resulting by-election, defeating his three opponents, all of them being barristers. He went on to represent the electorate until the 1960 Queensland state election when he retired from politics on medical advice.
  
  As well being the state member for Townsville, Keyatta sat on several other boards. He was a member of the Townsville Harbour Board from 1935 to 1960, the Agricultural, Pastoral and Industrial Association since 1928, and the Townsville Sports Ground Reserve Committee. He was a life-member of the Townsville Rugby Football League and the Townsville branch of the ANA. Keyatta was also the vice-president of the Queensland branch of the Australia-Russia Association from 1941 to 1944. Keyatta Park in Townsville was named in his honour.
  
  