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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-09-28 Daily Xml
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Lewis, Brigadier L.J.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Regional Roads, Minister for Veterans Affairs) (15:58): Today, I would like to talk about Brigadier Laurie Lewis AM (retired). As many members will be aware, on 12 September 2022, Brigadier Laurie Lewis AM (retired), passed away, aged 88. Laurie served as an inaugural member of the Veterans' Advisory Council, which was established by former Premier Mike Rann in 2008, firstly, as a member of the VAC for nine years and then as chair for two years following the passing of Air Vice Marshal Brent Espeland AM in September 2017.

Laurie consistently provided wise and valuable advice to my predecessors, ministers Atkinson, Snelling, Kenyon, Bettison, Hamilton-Smith and former Premier Marshall across his 11 years of service with the VAC. In his years on the VAC, Laurie was integral to the planning for South Australia's commemoration of the centenary of ANZAC, including as a member of the council's planning group for the ANZAC Centenary Memorial Walk. He was intimately involved in the planning and development of the Jamie Larcombe Centre at Glenside, tending to the mental health and wellbeing of service personnel.

It was fitting that myself and the member for Hammond in his capacity as shadow minister for veterans affairs were in attendance at Laurie's funeral yesterday, along with the Hon. Martin Hamilton-Smith and our former Governor Hieu Van Le. I offer my sincere condolences to Laurie's family. Laurie was the dearly loved husband of Di; loving father of Judith, Ian and Judy; cherished brother of Helen; devoted grandfather of Kate, James, Clara, Annie and Tahlia; and great-grandfather to Charlotte.

Laurie was a wonderful contributor to the state of South Australia. Our nation is very grateful for his 32 years of service in the Australian Regular Army, particularly during the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War where Laurie was mentioned in dispatches, when Platoon Commander 3 RAR during the Malayan Emergency 1957-1959 and as Officer Commanding C Company 9 RAR in Vietnam 1968-69.

While delivering his fine eulogy yesterday, one of Laurie's former soldiers, Mr Fred Fairhead, spoke fondly of his service with Laurie. I quote:

The 9 RAR Battalion book from that tour provides a compelling story about his role as the Officer Commanding C Company which had the motto of W.T.F.A.W.—the origins of which came from some obscure navigation issue. I leave it to you to work out what it means W.T.F.A.W.—But I'll give you a clue.

The letters W. T. Mean where the!

A special spirit existed in C company from the earliest days. That spirit was in the person of then Major Laurie Lewis, who possessed the unique ability to inspire all ranks with his own sense of mission, to have them work beyond their capacity, not because the boss demanded it but because they wanted to. The knowledge he had and his high personal standards earned him the total respect from all of his men—some of whom are here today in spirit.

It was a very, very moving eulogy. During Brigadier Lewis's 32-year service in the Australian Regular Army in both command and staff appointments, he saw active service in South Vietnam and Malaya. He also served overseas in Papua New Guinea and was the Deputy Army Adviser at the Australian High Commission in London. His final appointment in uniform was as the Military Secretary with Responsibility for Senior Army Officer Career Management.

Following his military service, he and his wife, Di, retired to Adelaide and he was appointed as the General Manager of the Aged Care and Housing Group, beginning a long association advocating for ageing South Australians. He was Chairman of the Repatriation General Hospital between 1993 and 2005, an institution he cared deeply about.

Throughout his later years, Brigadier Lewis remained involved with the ex-service community in South Australia as patron of the Royal Australian Regiment Association (SA Branch) and the Guards Association, Vice-Patron of the Association of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women (SA Branch) and Adviser to the War Widows' Guild of Australia (SA Branch). He was also an active member of the Veterans Review Board and the Ministerial Advisory Board on Ageing.

It was fitting that Laurie was made a Member of the Order of Australia for service to veterans as an administrator of aged-care and health services, as an adviser to state and national ex-service welfare groups and through support for charitable organisations in the Queens Birthday 2006 Honours list.

It is worth noting that the former Director of Veterans SA Rob Manton said in his excellent eulogy yesterday that this award and recognition predates the creation of the veterans affairs portfolio in South Australia, such is the magnitude of Laurie's contribution to veterans, their families and those who provide them with services to support their health and wellbeing.

I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak with Laurie and Mrs Di Lewis at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Service on 21 August 2022. The affection and respect shown to Laurie and Di at that service were very clear. Laurie was a man of quiet strength, kindness and dedication. Laurie will be mourned by members of the Royal Australian Regiment Association (SA Branch) as their patron and by the wider veteran community of South Australia.

We will remember Laurie. I note that all South Australians are tremendously grateful for Laurie's service, sacrifice and dedication to all veterans and their families. We will remember the Brigadier Lawrence John Lewis AM. Lest we forget.

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