Influential Books:
"Pollyanna."   This strange choice is because Pollyanna's "glad game", where she sought to find something good in disappointing experiences, rang true.  She read it as an 11 year old and believed that if Pollyanna could find something to be glad about in a box of second hand clothes, then she could too.

Influential People:
Her 5th grade teacher from Alma Primary School in Broken Hill, Mrs Allen. Back in 1961, Mrs Allen was doing remarkable things such as teaching to the different abilities of students. Sandra recalls being able to do activities such as the Readers Digest "Word Power" pages when she had completed her work early.

Influential Experiences:
Her church upbringing, giving birth to her son and undertaking the Landmark Education "Forum".

Favourite Food: eggs in any form

Favourite Colours: red, with bright yellow and orange running an equal second

Previous Employment: 
Doctor's receptionist; shop assistant; kitchen duties; primary school teacher; political researcher; Executive Assistant and then Administrative Officer of the Conservation Council of SA; Member of the Legislative Council of SA since December 1993.

Sandra Kanck

...occasional singer,  former teacher,  social justice campaigner, environmentalist, and Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council, in the S.A. Parliament.

SANDRA'S LIFE

Sandra Myrtho Kanck (nee Cederblad) was born in 1950 in Broken Hill, NSW. The oldest of seven children, her father was an electrical fitter on the Zinc Mine.  Although it was a struggle at the time, Sandra credits her childhood with playing a significant part in developing her views on social justice and giving her insight into the tough side of life.

Her father was a local preacher whilst her mother was church organist and choir conductor, so Sandra grew up as an active member of the Methodist Church.

Sandra learnt to play the piano for 3 years and the flute for two years. She taught herself to play the recorder, folk guitar, ukelele and viola (the last three are skills no longer used). She is currently learning a capella singing and tries not to miss her regular gospel singing class.   

Sandra loves cooking and making her own clothes, but since becoming an MP time restrictions severely limit these activities.

Although dance lessons were unaffordable when she was growing up, Sandra took the plunge at 40 and began taking lessons in Flamenco dancing. Having missed out on the basics as a child, she was a slow learner.  She enjoyed two years of lessons and now has an increased and enormous appreciation of dance.

Sandra has completed two WEA Astronomy courses and can get quite spaced out at the concept of clusters of galaxies.  Years ago, during her training as a primary school teacher, she relished introductory work in geology - and still gets more excited than most about a bit of sandstone.

Sandra completed her Higher School Certificate at Broken Hill High School and has a Diploma of Teaching from Nepean College of Advanced Education.