FED:Sir Zelman restored faith in G-G's office

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2011
FED:Sir Zelman restored faith in G-G's office

By Mariza O'Keefe

MELBOURNE, Dec 9 AAP - Sir Zelman Cowen has been described as one of Australia's great
public intellects whose time as governor-general restored people's faith in the office.

Sir Zelman, aged 92, died on Thursday evening at his Toorak home after suffering from
Parkinson's disease for many years.

Kooyong MP Josh Frydenberg, a friend of two decades, said he spent time with him before he died.

"He retained his humour to the end, and his wit," Mr Frydenberg said.

Sworn in as Australia's 19th governor-general in 1977, he was considered to be one
of Australia's top lawyers and a leader within the Jewish community.

Mr Frydenberg described Sir Zelman as one of the country's first great public intellects
who won even more respect during his time as governor-general.

"He was very proud of what he was able to achieve as governor-general and he took that
responsibility very seriously," he said.

Sir Zelman is to be given a state funeral on Tuesday at the Temple Beth Israel in St
Kilda, where he worshipped.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard also paid tribute to Sir Zelman.

"The modern prestige of the office can be greatly credited to his healing touch and
for this alone I believe we owe him a debt of gratitude," Ms Gillard said in a statement.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott described Sir Zelman as a great Australian.

"Sir Zelman Cowen was a unifying figure in our history and helped to rally support
for the crown and our constitution," Mr Abbott said.

Former prime minister Malcolm Fraser said every Australian owed Sir Zelman a great debt.

Mr Fraser recommended Sir Zelman's appointment to the vice-regal office after the controversial
tenure of Sir John Kerr, who'd sacked the Whitlam government two years earlier.

"I just believe that he was the ideal person to take on the job of governor-general
at an extraordinarily difficult time," Mr Fraser told ABC Radio on Friday.

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu said he had known Sir Zelman for a long time.

"Sir Zelman Cowan made an extraordinary contribution to Australia - he built a new
faith in the office of the governor-general," Mr Baillieu told reporters on Friday.

Before taking up the vice-regal post, Sir Zelman had a distinguished career in academia.

The former Melbourne University law student became dean of law at the university in 1951.

He was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of New England in 1966 and in 1970
he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Queensland.

Melbourne University Dean of Law Carolyn Evans said Sir Zelman was remembered as an
extraordinary scholar and mentor to students.

"The university is very sad to lose such a distinguished member of the university community
and we very fondly remember the contribution that he made here," Professor Evans said.

AAP mok/mn/mp/was

KEYWORD: COWEN WRAP

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