Evans, Sen Christopher

Senator CHRIS EVANS (Western Australia—Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:33): by leave—I move: That the Senate expresses its deep regret at the death, on 8 December 2011, of the Right Honourable Sir Zelman Cowen AK, GCMG, GCVO, QC, former Governor-General of Australia from 1977 to 1982, places on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service, and tenders its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement. There is a great deal of sadness across the chamber at the loss of this great Australian, but he was someone who lived a very full and productive life and what we are doing today is recording the parliament's apprecia­tion of that contribution. I know I will be followed by Senator Brandis, who I think knew Sir Zelman and I am sure will be able to make a better contribution than I. It is always better if you had personal interaction with the person. I look forward to that. Sir Zelman was born on 7 October 1919 in Melbourne. His mother, Sarah, had a vision of success for her son from an early age, reportedly telling him he was destined to become a King's Counsel. Sir Zelman was educated at local primary schools and then at Scotch College, where he graduated dux in 1935. He then went on to the University of Melbourne, where he studied arts and law, receiving the Supreme Court prize for coming first on the final honours lists. Sir Zelman won a Rhodes scholarship, but delayed further studies so he could serve with the Royal Australian Navy. He was serving in Darwin at the time of the Japanese attacks in 1942. In 1945 Sir Zelman completed his war service, married Anna—which is a marriage of some 66 years—and commenced his bachelor of civil law degree at Oriel College, Oxford. On completion of his degree he was a lecturer and fellow of the college. In 1951 he returned to Australia to take up the position of Professor of Public Law at the University of Melbourne. At the age of 31 he broke all British Commonwealth records with his appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Law, a position he held until 1966. Sir Zelman is remembered as driving a remarka­ble transformation and modernisation of the faculty as dean. It came as a surprise to his colleagues when after 16 years at the helm he accepted the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University of New England. In 1970 he moved again, this time to take up the vice-chancellorship at the University of Queens­land. It was a tumultuous time, especially for university leaders. Campuses across the country were a hotbed of political agitation and student protests. As VC, Sir Zelman brought calm to volatile, sometimes hostile, protest situations. His considered, calm approach and rational conversations worked with students and gained him the nickname 'Super Zel'. In 1973, the University of Melbourne awarded Sir Zelman an honorary doctor of laws degree. In 1976, he became the Law Reform Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Australia and was also knighted. In 1977, Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser's announcement that Sir Zelman would be Australia's next Governor-General was, I think, greeted enthusiastically around the country. He became Governor-General at a time when the foundations of Australia's political system had been severely shaken. He became quickly known as a healer, bringing wisdom and dignity to the role he occupied until 1982. He served with great distinction and noted that the appointment was the greatest experience of his life. Sir Zelman turned down the offer of a second term, choosing to return to Oriel College, Oxford, where he became Provost, a position he held until 1990. On his return to Melbourne in 1990, he became an active member of the Jewish community and a patron of the St Kilda Football Club—which was probably his only mistake, given its record as a successful football side. He also became a member of the board of Fairfax newspapers for some five years. He continued his community engagement and his passion for higher education, helping to establish a law school at Griffith University and to establish the National Academy of Music. He made a great contribution to academia across many institutions and throughout his whole life. He leaves an enormous legacy. He stood as an international scholar, a healer of the nation and someone who contributed passionately and fully to the public, intellectual and cultural life of Australia and the world. He was someone I always respected from a distance. His passing was a great loss for Australia. On behalf of the government, I extend to his wife, Lady Anna, and to his family our sincere sympathy in their bereavement.