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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-10-18 Daily Xml
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DUNSTAN, SIR DONALD

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:02): I move:

That the House of Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of the late Sir Donald Beaumont Dunstan AC KBE CB, former governor of this state, and places on record its appreciation of his distinguished service to our state and, as a mark of respect to his memory, that the sitting of the house be suspended until the ringing of the bells.

Donald Beaumont Dunstan was born at Murray Bridge on 18 February 1923. He graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1942, during the Second World War. He then served in infantry regimental appointments and as a junior staff officer in New Guinea, Bougainville and New Britain during World War II. He was second-in-command of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment in Korea in the 1950s, twice a member of the staff of the Royal Military College and a member of the directing staff at the Australian Staff College and the British Army Staff College, Camberley.

In 1964, Donald Dunstan commanded 1 RAR and then the 1st Recruit Training Battalion. In 1968, he was appointed Deputy Commander of the Australian Task Force in South Vietnam and, subsequently, he commanded the 10th Task Force. In 1970, he attended the Imperial Defence College in London. He returned to South Vietnam in 1971 as a major general and commander of the Australian forces there. On his return to Australia he was appointed Chief of Defence Materiel, followed by his appointment as General Officer commanding Field Force Command.

Major General Dunstan was promoted to Lieutenant-General and served as Chief of General Staff for five years from 1977 to 1982; so he rose to be head of the Army and, of course, the head of all of Australia's armed forces. General Dunstan was during his career mentioned in dispatches for patrol action in Bougainville in the Second World War. He became a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1954. He was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1969 for services in South Vietnam. He was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1972, again for service in South Vietnam. He was made a Knight of the Order of the British Empire in 1980 and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1991, our nation's highest honour.

On his retirement from the army in 1982, Sir Don Dunstan was appointed governor of South Australia, in which capacity he served with great distinction until 1991. He was appointed by the Liberal government led by David Tonkin, and the appointment was greeted with bipartisan support—rightly so for a man who had served his nation so well, but was incredibly proud of his South Australian origins. Indeed, I remember him telling me, as a young minister, the story of his ancestors, who came to the Barossa Valley—I think they came from Silesia—and that story was very important to him. I think he also had Cornish ancestors.

I remember getting the news as an adviser to John Bannon that Sir Donald Dunstan had been appointed governor. I went over and spoke to several members of the upper house, several Labor members, one of whom, a minister, asked me, 'Who have they appointed as Governor?' I said, 'Don Dunstan'. This caused a great deal of astonishment, and then I said, 'By the way it's now Sir Don Dunstan', which caused even more astonishment.

I not only attended on Executive Council but also was able to spend time with him at those wonderful Executive Council cabinet dinners at Government House. Of course, with Sir Donald and Lady Dunstan a military band was in attendance and there was also a great deal of storytelling. I know that while Sir Donald was appointed by David Tonkin's government, his period as governor was actually extended by John Bannon as premier of South Australia, as a mark, I think, not just of respect for the great work that he was doing, but also of that very important bipartisanship support for a non-partisan role.

Sir Donald and Lady Dunstan's visits to rural, country and outback areas and to Aboriginal communities were very greatly appreciated. I remember him telling me one story about the use of the Rolls Royce on a particular Aboriginal community by a particular Aboriginal leader, which apparently that leader was very proud of.

Former premier John Bannon said yesterday of Sir Donald as governor that he was very much a military man trained in the protocols and the right way to do things, but a very humane man as well, a really shrewd judge of character. He did not take any nonsense, was very diligent and certainly gave terrific advice.

I remember the last time I saw Sir Donald was at the unveiling of the Vietnam War Memorial at the Torrens Parade Ground in the city. Fittingly, the memorial depicts an Australian soldier standing alongside a South Vietnamese comrade, not defiantly, but really in a stance of reflection. I know that Sir Donald's attendance at the unveiling meant a great deal to the veterans who attended the service and to the families of those who lost their life in that conflict.

On behalf of the people of South Australia, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Lady Dunstan and Sir Donald's family. I know that his time as governor in South Australia and Their Excellencies' great commitment was greatly appreciated by all who had the privilege to meet them.

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:11): I rise to second the motion. It was a curious twist of fate that the Tonkin Liberal government should choose a man named Don Dunstan as Governor for South Australia. However, in spite of the potential for confusion, it turned out to be an excellent choice indeed. Known for his good humour, Sir Donald Dunstan once said of his namesake:

I suppose our lives have been so different there is no way they could have confused us—but I had the name first.

Lieutenant-General Sir Donald Beaumont Dunstan was born in Murray Bridge on 18 February 1923. A local boy, he went to Murray Bridge High School before heading to the big smoke (if you can call Adelaide the big smoke) to attend Prince Alfred College. He was selected to enter Duntroon Military College but because of the war his time in Duntroon was cut short, and he graduated at just 19 years of age in 1942. Despite the hastened education, Sir Donald went on to have a highly decorated military career.

Always modest, he said he never had any other ambition than to be a soldier and serve his country. After he graduated, Donald was posted as a platoon commander to the 27th Infantry Battalion (SA Scottish Regiment), which was in Darwin at the time. Except for a period in brigade headquarters as a liaison officer, he served with this unit for the remainder of the war in the south-west Pacific, fulfilling infantry regimental appointments in New Guinea, Bougainville and New Britain. He was mentioned in dispatches for patrol actions in Bougainville in 1945.

After the war he went to Japan with the occupation force. In 1948 Donald married Beryl Dunningham. Lady Dunstan, as she was to become, was an integral part of Donald's success throughout his career, providing him with invaluable support within the prism of a deeply loving relationship. In 1949 they moved to Adelaide where he served for nearly four years at Keswick Barracks. In 1954 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services here.

Donald was second-in-command of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment in Korea in 1955. He was twice a member of the staff of the Royal Military College and member of the directing staff at the Australian Staff College and the British Army Staff College, Camberley. In 1964 he commanded the 1 RAR and then the 1st Recruit Training Battalion.

In 1968 Donald was appointed Deputy Commander of the Australian Task Force in South Vietnam, subsequently commanding the 10th Task Force. That same year he assumed command of the Australian Task Force at Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral, covering enemy approaches to Saigon. This operation has been described as the fiercest fighting experienced by Australian troops in the Vietnam War. For this service he was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1969.

In 1970 he attended the Imperial Defence College in London before, scarcely two years after leaving Vietnam, he returned as a Major-General, Commander of the Australian force. It was during this period that he planned and executed the withdrawal of the Australians from Vietnam. He was awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1972 for this tour of duty.

On his return to Australia he was appointed Chief of Materiel in Canberra, followed by the appointment as General Officer Commanding Field Force in Sydney. Then Major-General Dunstan, he was promoted to Lieutenant-General and served as Chief of General Staff for five years from 1977 to 1982. Sir Donald was knighted in the New Year's Honours List of 1980. In the course of his various military duties he was stationed in many locations across the country and internationally, but he always remained a true South Aussie, saying:

I have always regarded myself as a South Australian. The ties with one's home state are always strong.

But Sir Donald's life is not just the story of a successful military career—his success did not stop there. On his retirement from the army he was appointed Governor of South Australia and served in this position with aplomb; so, too, did Lady Dunstan. When she moved into Government House—typical of army wives everywhere—she was moving into her 34th home in 30 years of marriage, only the accommodation was somewhat grander than anything the army had offered up until then. Her support and dedication to Donald's role was unwavering, and she also shared his love of Adelaide and South Australia. She was known as a positive and charming woman; he to be warm and genuine. Unsurprisingly, the pair won the hearts of all South Australians.

Sir Donald always conducted himself with honour and afforded the respect of all those with whom he came into contact. He and his wife were hard workers, tirelessly attending functions and meeting new people as they criss-crossed the state. This was particularly the case during South Australia's 150 anniversary year. His strong work ethic and determination was played out even in his daily morning walks. He was not shy to admit that he walked properly, saying, 'I don't just stroll,' and such was his approach to life—purposeful, direct and dedicated.

Upon his retirement as Governor in 1991 he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia. Like all the great names we remember in this parliament, Sir Donald was not a one-dimensional man. He loved his family, adoring his wife and two sons. He was an avid trout fisherman, he played golf and liked cross-country skiing. He also had an active role with a charity dear to my own heart, Operation Flinders, serving as one of its vice-patrons—a tradition carried on by our current Governor.

My most sincere condolences and those of the Liberal Party go to Sir Donald's family and friends. With his death at age 88 our state has lost a man of great integrity and honour. I commend the motion to the house.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (14:16): I rise to commend the motion to the house, not only as the member for Waite and on behalf of my constituents but also as a member of the Royal Australian Regiment Association, having served in 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (with the general having commanded the first), and also as a graduate of the Royal Military College, him having been part of the class of '42 and me the class of '75.

Members may be interested to know that, during the Second World War, the four-year period for cadets at Duntroon was abbreviated, of course, given the war to one year, and as many young officers as possible were sent into the field.

It is interesting to reflect on General Dunstan's life and career. We have had a few condolence motions over the years. I remember Norm Foster—and I remember others—who marked the passage of a very special generation, one that will never be seen again. It was the generation of South Australians who fought for us during the Second World War, and who then served on. They are a very unique group of people, and, sadly, we are seeing the last of them now go. It is very fitting that this motion be moved, because General Dunstan was one of the leaders of that generation.

Having just returned a few weeks ago from having walked the Kokoda Track, can I just say that the achievements of these soldiers were absolutely remarkable. It took us nine days to walk the journey that these men took in about twice the time but carrying about three or four times the weight in the most awful conditions with someone trying to kill them, and in weather conditions and circumstances that most of us could only think of in shock and horror.

General Dunstan arrived in New Guinea after the worst of the fighting along Kokoda—most of it was in 1942, with the northern beaches wrapping up most of the Japanese force at Buna and Gona in early 1943; but he would have been there for some of the more sustained operations that followed.

It is interesting, too, to reflect on these young men who first saw action in World War II and who then went to Japan as part of the occupation forces. They then found themselves in Korea in the freezing cold—a campaign and a battle which should be remembered by all Australians. At the time it was a matter of life and death, and these were very difficult times for the world. But then they found themselves serving in Malaysia during the emergency, then in Indonesia and Malaysia (again, during confrontation) and then that wrapped into Vietnam.

General Dunstan, and those who served with him, virtually were at war almost constantly from 1942 through until 1972, in some cases with only a year or two's break. It is difficult for Australians to think of that now, even though our young men and women are serving for us right now in Afghanistan and other places. That was a particularly difficult time for this country and for soldiers like General Dunstan and their wives and families.

Can I say about the Battle of Coral/Balmoral, in which General Dunstan was involved, that this was very nearly a case of the total annihilation of the Australian force. The Battle of Coral/Balmoral was like Khe Sanh, a case of the fire support base having been almost completely surrounded by the enemy, to the point that during the heat of the battle the guns of the artillery were captured by the Viet Cong and had to be recaptured through counter-attack. Had it not gone as well as it did, partly through General Dunstan's command and experience, it could well have been that we lost the entire force and the casualties would have been counted in the hundreds, not in the dozens. It is a credit to this fine soldier that he and others served us so proudly.

I served under him as chief of the general staff when I was in field force command, 3rd Task Force, SAS and in training command. He was a great general to serve under, part of a generation of commanders that are now gone. My condolences go to his family. He was a fantastic South Australian, a wonderful governor, and a great example for us all to follow.

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (14:21): I join with the Premier and other speakers in relation to Sir Donald Dunstan. My connection was somewhat closer, given that his mother lived out the last years of her life in the town of Kingscote, cared for in large part by his sister and her husband. Sir Donald was a visitor to the island unannounced on a number of occasions, coming over to see his mother. If my memory serves me correctly, his mother is indeed buried in the Kingscote cemetery.

As the member for Waite said, we are drawing towards the conclusion of an incredible generation of people, that is, those who served in those wars. For Sir Donald to have served in World War II, then Korea and Vietnam is, quite simply, something that takes your breath away these days.

There was something about Sir Donald. I met him on a number of occasions, even during the 150th celebrations. He was a wonderful human being with a very deliberately targeted sense of humour. He had that bearing which drew people to him, and I guess that came out again, as the Premier mentioned, at the unveiling of the Vietnam memorial. He was there then.

I have hundreds of veterans from both World War II, and Vietnam in particular, and other conflicts, in my electorate, and I see the veterans, particularly the South Coast veterans (the Vietnam boys) pretty regularly, and they loved him. They absolutely loved him. They had a passion for the man and, when they saw him, whether at the Torrens Parade Ground or, indeed, the unveiling of the memorial, they were just in awe of him.

I do not want to go through everything that has been spoken about, but the people of Kangaroo Island knew Sir Donald and they knew his mother and Pat and Bob well. I pass on my condolences to the family.

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): I will not go over the ground that has already been covered by other speakers but I want to add a couple of comments to recognise a very distinguished career by a great South Australian.

I had the great pleasure many years ago of spending a day with Sir Donald and Lady Dunstan when I was the chairman of the then Beachport council and there was a vice-regal visit to Beachport. As the chairman, I used my authority to instruct the district clerk then that the visit would include a visit to the Mount Burr Primary School. I do not think too many governors have visited the Mount Burr Primary School, but it is the school that I attended as a small boy and I thought it would be a special treat for the staff and students of that school. I do not think a governor has been before or since to the Mount Burr Primary School.

My memory was jogged when the Premier mentioned the Governor's Rolls Royce, because in those days the governors drove around in Rolls Royces. We did a tour of the district with Sir Donald and Lady Dunstan in his Rolls Royce. Eventually we got to Mount Burr and there was a little formal ceremony when the head girl of the primary school presented to Lady Dunstan a large bouquet of flowers. The head boy gave a copy of a book celebrating 50 years of the Mount Burr Primary School to Sir Donald Dunstan, but much to the embarrassment of this small boy he called Sir Donald Dunstan 'Sir Donald Bradman'.

I will never forget it, because he was very impressive. I was impressed; I was a relatively young man at the time. He very quickly said to the children, 'Well, that's that. Who wants to come and see the Roller?' He led the 50 or 60 students out to the front of the school and threw open the doors to the Roller, with these very eager young children milling around. Again, it is not very often you see a Rolls Royce in Mount Burr either, so that's my memory.

Members interjecting:

Mr WILLIAMS: I have a very fond memory of that day, and it is a day that I will cherish for all of my life. I am sure that there is an adult—probably still around the South-East of South Australia—who cringes every time he hears the name Sir Donald Dunstan. I offer my condolences and those of the people of my electorate to Lady Dunstan and their family.

The SPEAKER (14:26): Honourable members, I ask that the motion be carried in silence in the usual way.

Motion carried by members standing in their places in silence.


[Sitting suspended from 14:27 to 14:37]


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