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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 4 Hansard (9 April) . . Page.. 872 ..

MRS DUNNE (continuing):

Geoff was not a person who did anything by half-measures. He loved skiing, and therefore became a founding member of several ski clubs. He involved himself in the construction of two Royal Australian Navy ski lodges at Mt Buller and Perisher Valley, and the University ski club at Mt Hotham.

The Royal Australian Navy ski lodge at Perisher was a real achievement-combining logistics, strategy, and political nous. Along with Guy Griffiths, Geoff Hood was given the task of selecting both an architect and a builder, and raising the necessary finance. He achieved all of this in time to have the lodge opened for the 1964 ski season-the biggest year for snow in Perisher's history.

After finishing school, Geoff completed a bachelor of engineering at the University of Tasmania. He joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1944 and was aboard HMAS Australia when it was severely damaged by kamikaze planes near Leyte Gulf.

He continued to serve in the navy, reaching the rank of captain, before retiring in 1972. From 1961 to 1966, he was general manager of the Williamstown naval dockyard in Melbourne. He also had a posting in Admiralty House in London.

At the age of 27, Geoff married Arlene Rae Anthony. Together they had three daughters-Nadine, Alwynne and Toni. Geoff and Rae were married for 42 years until, in August 1988, Rae died suddenly of a heart attack. His daughters tell us that he sorely missed her.

Geoff retired from the navy at the age of 55. He combined his scientific training with his gift as a gardener, and embarked on a second career as a vigneron. In partnership with his wife, he established, from scratch, the Westering vineyard on the shores of Lake George. He was a tough, hard-working man and his wines were soon winning awards.

His second career suited Geoff's gregarious nature, for he was always a man who loved parties and meeting people. Acclaimed wines are still being produced by David Madew from his vines, as Westering has now become the Madew Winery.

Geoff was Commodore of the Canberra Yacht Club from 1976 to 1977. Recently, the Institute of Engineers awarded him life membership.

Some years ago, Geoff was diagnosed as having asbestosis, and his health began to decline. The asbestos fibres inhaled in engine rooms during his naval career had started to take their toll in the 1990s. He pursued occupational health issues with the navy. Despite his being a senior officer who had devoted his entire career to the navy, that institution was unwilling to acknowledge that his asbestosis was acquired during his naval work. He and his family were nonplussed, given that his only other work had been in the vineyard, where one hardly finds asbestos. After a protracted process, he finally received a veteran's gold card, which helped him through his final years.

I have known Geoff Hood as a member of the South Canberra branch of the ACT Liberal Party. He was a fine man who is survived by his three daughters, Nadine, Alwynne and Toni, and two granddaughters-Sarah and Robyn.

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