Keith is a graduate of the New England University where he gained a B.A. and his Masters in Educational Administration. He is also a graduate of Macquarie University where he gained his B. Legal Studies. He also has a number of postgraduate diplomas from Sturt University He worked as a Principal in NSW schools for 45 years. He was appointed to two primary schools before being appointed to three secondary schools for 15 years. He returned to the Tweed, where he was born, at the end of 1986 to take up an appointment as Principal of Kingscliff Primary. He retired from there 18 years later. After gaining his experience in the Legal Branch of the NSW Department of Educational he was admitted as a Legal Practitioner in the NSW Supreme Court in 2005. He has not practiced law since.

Keith has been married twice. Both wives are deceased. He has two children by his first wife. His son, Stuart, ex RAAF, has two children and lives in Bligh Park.  Daughter Terri, recently sold her cleaning business in Brisbane to become her Auntie’s full time carer in Wollongong.

Keith was an Army Reservist for 35 years. He was finally retired in 1996. He was an Infantry Officer for fifteen years before transferring to the Educational Corps to become a Training Major for the last seventeen years of his military service. He has visited and worked in many Military establishments throughout Australia as well as the Philippines.
Keith is at present a Toastmaster and has occupied most executive positions in the Twin Towns Toastmaster Club. He is also involved in the Twin Towns Uniting Church, Coolangatta. In the past he has been a member of Apex and a Rotarian. He has been also involved in other Community organisations.

Keith held various executive positions in the AAA Gold Coast Division before being elected President in 2005-07. Keith was invited to be President again in 2009/10 when the Association had difficulty in getting someone to be President. Keith is also the Vice President of the Federation of Australian American Associations. He hopes to shed both positions by the end of the year so as to allow a younger person to develop the AAAGCD. This will also allow Keith to do more travelling overseas. This he enjoys. Best of all he enjoys the silver service dining on cruise ships in the company of Ms Kathleen Frith, another AAAGCD member.

Keith Shackley is the AAAGCD President