George William Martens, well he is a real mistery man, the only real things known about him are what is written in some of the Parlimentary papers of submittions and or adjournments of policies, which have been recorded in Canberra, and of other family members memiories of this mystery man. George the eldest son of 9 children of Johann (John) and Maria (Mary) Martens of Mt Perry Queensland, married Bertha S Burchardt, and I have found that they lived at Hanbury St Bundaberg Qld in 1913 (as per Bundy electorial role) which he is registered as a Labour Organiser, before that well who knows. It is said that George was a drover at one stage and I have also heard that he use to do a lot of lumber work or tree felling in his younger days.

George and Bertha had 7 children, all in Bundaberg Qld. Although not much is known of him, here are some entries which have been found.
 
 

Martens, George William - Elected to House of Representatives for Herbert, Queensland, general elections, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1937, 1940, 1943. Member of Select Committee on the Tobacco Industry, 1929-1930. Temporary Chairman of Committees from 1932. Member of Joint Committee on Public Works from 1940 to 1943.
Supplementary:- Member of ALP, retired 1946. Temporary Chairman of Committees from 1932 to Nov 1946. Died 1949.

Martens, George William, Director Commonwealth Oil Refineries since Sept 1946:- Formally M.H.R. for Herbert Queensland 1928-1946:- Followed various types of bush work as young man: became Labour organiser 1907 later returning to work on the land; Subsequently became Secretary Central Queensland; Secretary A.W.U., afterwards State President; Unsuccessfully contested Senate seat 1922; became M.H.R. for Herbert 1928, later Secretary Federal Parliamentry Labour Party. Member, Select Committees in House of Representatives; Lost Labour selection for Herbert 1946; Address, Commonwealth Oil Refineries Ltd, 117 Pitt St Sydney.
 
 

It is also said, but could be just rumours, but George was advised to leave Bertha, due to her German acent and heritage and to say he was of Danish decent and to keep it a secret from  members of Parliament, due to German developments in WW11, as he might not have much of a future within Parliament due to this. Also this could also maybe a rumour, that he lived with an unidentified woman in Sydney and also had a family there. Maybe this is why there is really little known about him in Parliamentary records, re Next of Kin, Dependants, Marriage etc. There is very little known about George. But within time I'm sure the truth will resolve all this issue. Please excuss me if this is upsets members of the family, but this man is a mistery, and I would like and I'm sure future generations would like to know a bit more about him.

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