Page 3490 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 12 October 1994
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Sir Geoffrey retired from the Public Service in 1986, following a heart attack. He took up a number of business appointments and company directorships and was a director of the Menzies Memorial Trust. In 1988, Sir Geoffrey was appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Australian National University and was appointed Chancellor in 1990, a position that he held at the time of his death. Sir Geoffrey's wisdom and high standing within government, business and the community were greatly valued by the university. He was a forceful advocate of the mission of the university, and I am sure that he will be greatly missed by his academic colleagues.
As well as having a distinguished professional career, Sir Geoffrey was a keen sportsman and an active member of the community. He represented the ACT in hockey. In 1980, he was presented with the International Hockey Federation's medal of honour in recognition of 17 years' service to the federation. Sir Geoffrey was generous in his support of many organisations. He was a life member of the Australian Hockey Association, vice-patron of the Australian Volleyball Federation, vice-patron of the National Eisteddfod, national vice-president of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Australia and patron of the Woden Valley Youth Choir.
Sir Geoffrey is survived by his wife, Laurel; his son, Timothy; his daughter, Julie - whom I had the pleasure of working with for some years - three grandchildren; a brother and a sister. I am sure that all members join me in expressing sympathy to Sir Geoffrey's family and friends and in acknowledging his distinguished Public Service and academic career.
MRS CARNELL (Leader of the Opposition): On behalf of the Liberal Party, with a mixed sense of sorrow and regret at his untimely death, I support this motion of condolence and express my sympathy to the friends and family of Sir Geoffrey Yeend. As one of his close colleagues remarked, Sir Geoffrey was the epitome of the ideal public servant. He expressed very high standards of personal behaviour and was renowned for giving advice that was well researched, well reasoned and without political bias. Because of his professionalism, he was able to work closely with governments of different political persuasions. He was highly respected by his political masters for giving advice and providing information that he believed to be proper and correct rather than what they may have wanted to hear. After Cabinet had made a decision, whether he agreed with it or not, he maintained his professionalism in accepting the integrity of the decision and seeing that it was properly carried out. No government could ask for more than that.
Sir Geoffrey was deeply committed to the values of an independent public service. Indeed, the colleague to whom I referred earlier noted that Geoff Yeend believed that public servants should be not the playthings of politicians but the servants of the people. I am sure that we would all share that sentiment. He set an example in public administration which, I hope, not only will be long remembered but also will be an inspiration for public servants and all people in public life in the ACT and in Australia generally.
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