Page 3491 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 12 October 1994
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As well as being remembered for the things that he achieved in public life, Sir Geoffrey will be remembered and respected for his personal qualities of wisdom, kindness and generosity. His colleagues recall him as a very humane and fair person, with a strong sense of duty to his family. He imparted those values to the people with whom he worked. They remarked on his integrity, honesty and frankness in dealing with everybody, from the most junior person to the Prime Minister of the day. As the Chief Minister outlined, Sir Geoffrey continued his distinguished service career in retirement with several directorships and as Chancellor of the Australian National University. The Chief Minister also outlined his sporting prowess and his commitment to various aspects of community life in that area.
We can all be grateful for having been influenced, either directly or indirectly, by somebody of the calibre of Sir Geoffrey Yeend. I think that we would all pay him the highest honour by upholding the principles by which he lived. We all have benefited by Sir Geoffrey living in Canberra.
MS SZUTY: In addressing this condolence motion I will also be speaking on behalf of my colleague Mr Moore. Madam Speaker, I did not know Sir Geoffrey Yeend well. Indeed, I did not know him at all during his years of public service to the community, for which he is well renowned. I came to meet Sir Geoffrey late in his life, when his interests and mine coincided from time to time. I first met Sir Geoffrey and Lady Yeend at the annual Town versus Gown cricket match at the ANU, held during the Canberra Festival in 1992. There was not much cricket played that day, due to the inclement weather. However, a delightful lunch was held in the marquee and enjoyed by all who attended. It was in this way that I came to know Sir Geoffrey in his capacity as Chancellor of the Australian National University, a position that he held from 1990.
Some months later, I met Sir Geoffrey and Lady Yeend again, this time at the opening of the new hockey field at the Lyneham Hockey Centre. There I learnt of the long involvement of Sir Geoffrey and his brother Frank with hockey in the ACT. My further knowledge of Sir Geoffrey was through his activities as a member of the Royal Canberra Golf Club, where some months ago he was active in promoting proposals for further development of the golf course and facilities. During the occasions on which I met Sir Geoffrey, I came to know him as a gentle man, extremely knowledgeable about the issues and interests of concern to him and always pleasant company. He will be sadly missed by the Canberra community. I would like to extend my sincere and profound sympathy to his family and friends on their loss.
MR DE DOMENICO: Madam Speaker, I also rise in support of the motion of condolence moved by the Chief Minister. I knew Sir Geoffrey Yeend very well in a number of areas. The Chief Minister, Mrs Carnell and Ms Szuty have quite well catalogued his life. I met Sir Geoffrey when he was a public servant and when I was, at that stage, doing another job of work - lobbying. He was always very courteous, sometimes abrupt - courteously abrupt - but always willing to listen. I used to seek Sir Geoffrey's advice when I took on various responsibilities in this place, especially in the sporting area. I was also one of those lucky people who received his advice on business matters. We all know of Sir Geoffrey's interest in South-East Asia, particularly in terms of business.
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