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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-10-18 Daily Xml
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DUNSTAN, SIR DONALD

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:24): I move:

That the Legislative Council expresses its deep regret at the recent death of Lieutenant General Sir Donald Dunstan, former governor of South Australia, and places on record its appreciation of his distinguished and meritorious public service.

I rise to express my sadness at the parting of Lieutenant General Sir Donald Beaumont Dunstan, who passed away on 5 October 2011. As members may know, Sir Donald was an Australian Army officer and was governor of South Australia from 23 April 1982 until 15 February 1991. Sir Donald Dunstan was born in Murray Bridge.

What I have read about this remarkable man indicates that he was a passionate South Australian who relished the work he undertook as governor. Many people have written about his very down-to-earth and warm manner, emphasising what a pleasure he was to work with, which is quite a remarkable tribute for someone in public life whose role in our state was such a formal one. There was no hint that his position or many honours made him aloof or led him to set himself apart from the people of the state he served with such distinction. It is a real testament to the kind of man he was that he is so well thought of so many years after he left his leadership role.

Donald will be remembered for the tireless commitment and passion that underpinned his life, no matter what he was doing. In a style which was later emulated by many, I understand he kept trim by striding the streets of Adelaide; he was apparently a regular early morning walker. He was a proud man who had trained in military protocols, a very no-nonsense character who was very thorough and well read. It was reported that on his return from the Eastern States to become Governor of South Australia he brought himself up to date with the local football code, attending several SANFL games and studying Max Basheer's books How to Play Australian Rules and Following the Game.

Donald was a lifelong and distinguished soldier. After he graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1942, he served in the infantry and as a junior staff officer in New Guinea, Bougainville and New Britain. He rose to become second-in-command of 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, in Korea in 1955, and he was Deputy Commander of the Australian Task Force in Vietnam in 1968 and returned to Vietnam as Major General, Commander Australian Force in 1971.

In addition to taking an active part in three major conflicts, he honed his leadership skills as a member of staff of the Royal Military College and a member of the directing staff at the Australian Staff College and the British Army Staff College, before capping his military career as a leader of the Australian Army as Chief of the General Staff from 1977 to 1982. His bravery was mentioned in dispatches, and his later service was variously recognised by membership of the Order of the British Empire in 1954, Commander of the British Empire in 1969, and a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1972. He was made a Knight of the Order of the British Empire in 1980 and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1991.

It seems that whatever Donald pursued it was always with a sense of vigour and endless spirit for his state and country. In 1986, with Lady Dunstan at his side, I am told that they ensured the state's 150th anniversary was marked at every possible opportunity. They attended functions across the state or hosted ceremonies to celebrate this remarkable milestone in our state's history.

I would also like to mention Sir Donald's support for allowing gay people to serve in the armed forces. He publicly indicated his support in 1992, saying that he would have been 'very cross' if sexuality were the basis for not allowing someone to serve, noting that homosexuals were already serving in the forces and that it made sense to formally accept this fact.

Sir Donald will be remembered for his honesty, professionalism and down-to-earth personality. It is clear that South Australia has lost a very committed and passionate man, and I know that all honourable members will join me in noting his passing. I extend my condolences to Lady Dunstan and family.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:30): I rise on behalf of the opposition to second the condolence motion on the life of Lieutenant General Sir Donald Dunstan. He was born in Murray Bridge on 18 February 1923. He attended Murray Bridge High School and Prince Alfred College. He was selected to enter Duntroon Royal Military College in the class of 1940 and graduated in the mid-1940s at the age of 19. He served in Bougainville and Papua New Guinea in 1945 before returning home to marry Beryl Dunningham, later to be known as Lady Dunstan, in 1948. They had two sons born in Adelaide, James and Richard. Lady Dunstan later described herself as a gypsy, the inherent lifestyle of being an Army wife. She described Government House that they would later occupy—approximately their 30th residence as a couple—as salubrious, but they agreed that their lifestyle would not change their values.

Soon after their marriage, the young couple moved to Adelaide, where he served for nearly four years at the Keswick Barracks. He then served in Korea from 1954 to 1955. As a Colonel, Dunstan arrived in Vietnam as Deputy Commander in 1968. The next time he returned in 1971 it was as Major General, Commander Australian Force. During that period he planned and executed the withdrawal of Australians from Vietnam.

Throughout the early 1970s, Sir Donald Dunstan was the Chief of Materiel at the Army headquarters in Canberra. Most of that time was spent as a member of an inquiry into the future of the Citizens Military Force. The inquiry led to substantial changes in the structure of the Army Reserve. In 1977, he became Deputy Chief of the General Staff, but in a matter of weeks was promoted to Lieutenant General. He was 54 at the time.

As the Governor of South Australia from 23 April 1982, he was the state's first military governor since Major General Sir James Harrison in 1968. Both he and Lady Dunstan wanted to use their role to meet as many people as possible. Lady Dunstan described her husband—and I believe it sums him up well—this way:

He was a people person. He was one of those people whose warmth and genuine interest in what others have to say puts them immediately at ease. He can communicate as comfortably and as readily with ordinary people as with the social elite of the diplomatic cocktail circuit in which he must move.

The Liberal government, which recommended him to the position of governor, clearly saw his strength, stability and calm, unflustered outlook. As he had stated about himself, his background mitigated against his being a controversial person. He also described himself as being non-political. He was governor until 1991, and he served South Australia well in his military and governor roles. He was also highly decorated, with honours including a Companion of the Order of Australia and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, plus a plethora of other military honours.

Along with that, my family had some small connection or involvement with Sir Donald Dunstan while he was governor. My father at the time was involved with the St John Ambulance service. In fact, he was Chairman of the St John Council, and the Governor had a role in that particular organisation. My parents were often guests—when I say often, it seemed like often—at Government House of Sir Donald and Lady Dunstan. I know that Sir Donald Dunstan was always welcoming and always interested in what others were doing and what they had to say, as his wife attested.

He also commented that the Bordertown bakery made the best pies in South Australia and that, whenever he was travelling through the South-East—as the minister indicated in the sesquicentenary—he always detoured past Bordertown to purchase what he described as the best pie in South Australia. With those few words, I endorse the motion and pass on the opposition's condolences to his family.

Motion carried by members standing in their places in silence.

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