Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Malcolm Arthur Carbins, a noted South Australian artist was born at his Aunty Annie's house at Havelock St. Kapunda. He was the only child of Emily and Arthur Carbins.

As a child he had rheumatic fever and requested drawing materials. This began his interest in art. In an attempt to dissuade Malcolm from becoming an artist his father took him to the National Gallery of South Australia ( now AGSA) to meet the director, Louis McCubbin, hoping that he would tell Malcolm after viewing his portfolio, that he was not talented enough to study for the arts. Instead, and fortunately for Malcolm, McCubbin told Arthur that Malcolm should be trained and recommended the school of Fine arts in North Adelaide, which was run by F Millward Grey.

Malcolm enlisted at Barmera in July 1942 and served in New Guinea. He was a Signalman with the 2/1st Beach Signals Section. The Beach Signals Section was part of the larger Australian Beach Groups, which were formed during WW2 when the allies realised a need for the landing zone of an amphibious assault to be organised for the efficient passage of follow on forces. Whils't in New Guinea he suffered from malaria and rheumatic fever.

On his return from the war he studied for one more year at North Adelaide before moving to Sydney to study at East Sydney Tech, an experience that he found creatively liberating.

During his time in Sydney he worked as a newspaper cartoonist and around 1947 travelled with Wirths, Australia's largest circus, drawing many of the clowns and performers.

On his return to Adelaide he met Margaret Donaldson. Margaret said he needed good food and nurturing when she met him. They married in 1953 at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, lived at Seacliff, and bought their first block of land at Marino Rocks.

He worked for the News in Adelaide and also for Clarksons Glass, and in the early 1960s gained employment as an artist with the S.A Tourist Bureau.

Retired from public service in 1982 he continued tutoring in the W.E.A and was awarded Certificate of Life Membership of the W.E.A in 1997

He was also a teacher of life drawing, not only at the W.E.A but also the Adelaide Art Society and the RSASA.

Malcolm died on the 3rd of February 2002.

Relative who served.

Father. 
Arthur Clarence Carbins 2393

WWI Private A.I.F. 50th Battalion

Ww2 Lance Corporal. AMF Volunteer Defence Corps

8th Battalion.

Info from book Malcolm Carbins Silent Depths

by Adam Dutkiewicz