Mr ABBOTT (Warringah—Prime Minister) (14:17): Mr Speaker, I now rise to acknowledge the passing of one of our countries most generous philanthropists, Leonard Gordon Darling AC CMG, who passed away at the end of August. Gordon Darling was the scion of a very famous family, many of whose members have excelled in a whole range of fields. His grandfather John was one of the founders—and, later, chairman—of the Broken Hill Proprietary Co Ltd. After distinguished service in the Australian Imperial Force in World War II in the Middle East and New Guinea, Gordon was the longest-serving director of BHP and was, in fact, the last family member to serve on its board. Gordon Darling appreciated that a wealthier and more productive economy meant more opportunities for philanthropy. He was not just a businessman, he was someone who wanted to use the fruits of business to serve the community more widely. He was the inaugural chairman of the board of the National Gallery of Australia from 1982 to 1986. In 1991 he established the Gordon Darling Foundation, which continues to provide funding and staff development opportunities for public art institutions right across our country. Gordon and his wife, Marilyn, were the founding patrons of the National Portrait Gallery, and they have done magnificent work with this splendid institution. They funded its beginnings and they drove its establishment as one of our best institutions. Gordon said: All those things, much to my surprise, have been much higher profile and a much more rewarding experience than 40 years in business. On behalf of all Australians I acknowledge the legacy that Gordon Darling has left to our nation. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Marilyn Darling AC, herself a remarkable philanthropist in her own right, and to his family, his children and his grandchildren.