Retirement Speech at Testimonial Dinner, Cronulla-Sutherland Leagues Club on 4 August 1971:
I am indeed grateful for this auspicious gathering which confirms my view that Local Government is a people’s government which should always work in tandem with its community. This would often put them in conflict with other arms of government. People power is an all-too-forgotten principle in society these days…
I didn’t believe when I was first elected to the Executive of the Local Government Association, that one day I would be nominated by the Senate to sit on a Select Committee to inquire into the financial needs of the State, Local Government and semi-government agencies, thus taking a significant step in the aims of Local Government for considerable Federal financial assistance.
And I didn’t believe when I first took up my Presidential duties in 1961, that 10 years later a murderous attempt would be made on my life – and not only my life but the lives of my wife, son and daughter.
This is now history, I have no regrets. I can now look back on those 15 years as the lean years and the good years.
The years have been good years for the Shire. We are at least a decade ahead of any other similarly placed Local Government authority. In the circumstances, I have no qualms about the ability of Council to continue to play a leading role in the sphere of Local Government and to give outstanding service to this community.
The ratepayers say, a survey showed, we are a sporting Council. Our libraries are acknowledged as among the best and are playing a tremendous role in helping education in the Shire.
Our finances are sound – what Council exists that has to pay only 6.9% of its rate income in loan repayments? The Sydney Water Board pays out 56% of its income in loan repayments! Yes, I leave the Council in good hands. Its officers are way above average – competent, industrious and loyal. Why even the ‘garbos’ now wave to me in friendship! The same warmth can be said for the Councillors whose re-election – I am confident – in assured next month.
The success of Council’s Land Project Committee – netting three and a quarter million dollars profit in just over 10 years with accumulated assets – has placed Council in a sound financial position. Having led the fight to abolish the DMR levy and payroll tax on Local Government wages and salaries, Sutherland-Randwick Councils refused to pay the DMR levy – thereby helping to force the State Government to discontinue it…
Apparently Local Government is nearer to the pocket than the heart! Let me say that so far as I am concerned, it is nearer my heart. How else could one have served the community over such a tremendous period of growth? There is no personal gain – other than the satisfaction of helping to make life better in the community. You will find I have an average car – a very average home – and no kerb and guttering yet!
Serving the community is one of the most rewarding of experiences . . . Our lives are full as we seek to grapple with the complexities of modern society. Although the task is fraught with difficulties and misunderstandings, nevertheless we must seek constantly to master the art of improving life at the community level. It is our yardstick. Man is, I believe, capable of much more than he has ever achieved.
Should he be reasonably efficient, reasonably humane, reasonably honest and reasonably content?
Or should be he concerned, passionate, questioning, tolerant, refusing to accept the status quo?
I opt for the latter course. We should strive constantly to do better -- to make life for our families easier and more fruitful. It is in the sphere of serving the community that I have developed my philosophical approach to life. And so Local Government has become part of my life.
The sacrifices of my family need to be stressed. In the early days my children were lumbered from one relative to another as we attended function after function, week after week, year after year. More recently they have, as they grew up, joined my home ‘secretarial’ staff.
Unthinking, I have on occasions accepted to go to a dinner on my wife’s birthday or a Council meeting on our wedding anniversary. You all know how serious, how stupid, these mistakes can be in term of married bliss.
I pay tribute to my wife’s countless sacrifices during my public life, her patient answering of hundreds of phone calls – some abusive over the years, and often during mealtimes. She says that as she has been kept from this function tonight she intends to form a branch of Women’s Liberation in Sutherland Shire!
Last year Sutherland Shire Council commissioned a survey of resident reactions to Local Government. As far as this Shire is concerned, the survey showed an 80% satisfaction with Council.
There was a generally held view among ratepayers, however, that Local Government is only a training ground. Personally I don’t think these views have much credence. As David Kirkby’s From Sails to Atoms reveals, I am only the third member of Sutherland Council to enter Parliament in 65 years. C O J Monro was first elected in 1932, Les Johnson in 1955 and myself in the recent Senate election in 1970.
But let us examine the point. Is there anything wrong with Local Government being a training ground for Parliamentarians?
In Local Government, a great deal is learnt about the needs of the people and the community – we were very close to them. We learn a great deal about administration, environment, social problems and humanity. We learn how to heed the advice of the permanent officers but still play the role as elected representatives.
On the other hand, members of Parliament are often elected because of their particular competency... as a barrister, as an economist, or as a union official. These qualifications do not necessarily make them competent politicians. (Mr Bury’s demotion at the hands of PM McMahon perhaps proves my point as he is regarded as an eminent economist).
Few people would disagree with me when I say that there is a cynicism about politicians, a growing criticism of the Parliament as an institution. Scientists, planners, economists and citizens’ groups publicly say, these days, that parliament is out of touch with the needs of the community…
I can find no arguments to sustain the view that local councils should not be a training sphere for the State and National Parliaments. The importance of Local Government in NSW can be gauged by the fact that it now spends more than half the money spent by the NSW Government in any one financial year – it is itself big business – Local Government is part of a trinity of government in Australia.
It is a vital and growing part, intimately associated with the needs of people, as opposed to the more remote State and National governments…
For my part, in the Senate, I promise to be in the forefront of a better deal for Local Government. I will be helping to slow down the growth rate of our cities and seeking a genuine policy of decentralisation. I will be pressing the Commonwealth to make money available for urban renewal, for improving the quality of life in all of our major cities.
I hope to play a meaningful role in reducing land prices – in ending racism and in finding the means for all people to live in peace with one another.
The problems of rural areas will be occupying a great deal of my time also. It was the realisation that I have to master many other pressing national problems that finally influenced my decision to leave the Shire scene.
No function of this nature would be complete without my acknowledgement to the many people who have contributed greatly to my career in Local Government.
Firstly, to my mother and father who generously gave me time off from their business to carry out my Local Government duties.
To my wife and family, whose sacrifices can never be repaid.
To the late David Kirkby, whose friendly guidance helped me immeasurably in my early years in Council.
To my own colleagues in Council for their loyalty and support.
To the various Independents in Council and to two Liberal Party Councillors, whose votes were vital over the recent years.
To the officers of Council my heartfelt thanks, in particular those officers who stood by me in the years when the going was toughest.
To Bill Wood, who never spared himself to carry out the construction side of Council’s responsibilities, and the men in his department.
To Athol Hill, the most senior appointed officer of Council and a man who will carry on the traditions of our esteemed friend the late David Kirkby.
To the electors of Caringbah, who have suffered me for 15 years, often voting against their party sympathies to elect a radical, a stirrer, a goer.
To Gerry Mulholland, public relations wizard who helped to turn the tide on so many occasions as we ploughed through heavy seas.
To the Cronulla-Sutherland Leagues Club for their munificent gesture in making these facilities available.
Finally to Norm Rees for chairing this function, to John Harvey and Ray Thorburn for their organisation of the evening – to Sir Frank McDowell and Bob Hawke for their generous attendance in making this night a memorable one in my life.
To all of you a very, very sincere thanks.
I am indeed grateful for this auspicious gathering which confirms my view that Local Government is a people’s government which should always work in tandem with its community. This would often put them in conflict with other arms of government. People power is an all-too-forgotten principle in society these days…
I didn’t believe when I was first elected to the Executive of the Local Government Association, that one day I would be nominated by the Senate to sit on a Select Committee to inquire into the financial needs of the State, Local Government and semi-government agencies, thus taking a significant step in the aims of Local Government for considerable Federal financial assistance.
And I didn’t believe when I first took up my Presidential duties in 1961, that 10 years later a murderous attempt would be made on my life – and not only my life but the lives of my wife, son and daughter.
This is now history, I have no regrets. I can now look back on those 15 years as the lean years and the good years.
The years have been good years for the Shire. We are at least a decade ahead of any other similarly placed Local Government authority. In the circumstances, I have no qualms about the ability of Council to continue to play a leading role in the sphere of Local Government and to give outstanding service to this community.
The ratepayers say, a survey showed, we are a sporting Council. Our libraries are acknowledged as among the best and are playing a tremendous role in helping education in the Shire.
Our finances are sound – what Council exists that has to pay only 6.9% of its rate income in loan repayments? The Sydney Water Board pays out 56% of its income in loan repayments! Yes, I leave the Council in good hands. Its officers are way above average – competent, industrious and loyal. Why even the ‘garbos’ now wave to me in friendship! The same warmth can be said for the Councillors whose re-election – I am confident – in assured next month.
The success of Council’s Land Project Committee – netting three and a quarter million dollars profit in just over 10 years with accumulated assets – has placed Council in a sound financial position. Having led the fight to abolish the DMR levy and payroll tax on Local Government wages and salaries, Sutherland-Randwick Councils refused to pay the DMR levy – thereby helping to force the State Government to discontinue it…
Apparently Local Government is nearer to the pocket than the heart! Let me say that so far as I am concerned, it is nearer my heart. How else could one have served the community over such a tremendous period of growth? There is no personal gain – other than the satisfaction of helping to make life better in the community. You will find I have an average car – a very average home – and no kerb and guttering yet!
Serving the community is one of the most rewarding of experiences . . . Our lives are full as we seek to grapple with the complexities of modern society. Although the task is fraught with difficulties and misunderstandings, nevertheless we must seek constantly to master the art of improving life at the community level. It is our yardstick. Man is, I believe, capable of much more than he has ever achieved.
Should he be reasonably efficient, reasonably humane, reasonably honest and reasonably content?
Or should be he concerned, passionate, questioning, tolerant, refusing to accept the status quo?
I opt for the latter course. We should strive constantly to do better -- to make life for our families easier and more fruitful. It is in the sphere of serving the community that I have developed my philosophical approach to life. And so Local Government has become part of my life.
The sacrifices of my family need to be stressed. In the early days my children were lumbered from one relative to another as we attended function after function, week after week, year after year. More recently they have, as they grew up, joined my home ‘secretarial’ staff.
Unthinking, I have on occasions accepted to go to a dinner on my wife’s birthday or a Council meeting on our wedding anniversary. You all know how serious, how stupid, these mistakes can be in term of married bliss.
I pay tribute to my wife’s countless sacrifices during my public life, her patient answering of hundreds of phone calls – some abusive over the years, and often during mealtimes. She says that as she has been kept from this function tonight she intends to form a branch of Women’s Liberation in Sutherland Shire!
Last year Sutherland Shire Council commissioned a survey of resident reactions to Local Government. As far as this Shire is concerned, the survey showed an 80% satisfaction with Council.
There was a generally held view among ratepayers, however, that Local Government is only a training ground. Personally I don’t think these views have much credence. As David Kirkby’s From Sails to Atoms reveals, I am only the third member of Sutherland Council to enter Parliament in 65 years. C O J Monro was first elected in 1932, Les Johnson in 1955 and myself in the recent Senate election in 1970.
But let us examine the point. Is there anything wrong with Local Government being a training ground for Parliamentarians?
In Local Government, a great deal is learnt about the needs of the people and the community – we were very close to them. We learn a great deal about administration, environment, social problems and humanity. We learn how to heed the advice of the permanent officers but still play the role as elected representatives.
On the other hand, members of Parliament are often elected because of their particular competency... as a barrister, as an economist, or as a union official. These qualifications do not necessarily make them competent politicians. (Mr Bury’s demotion at the hands of PM McMahon perhaps proves my point as he is regarded as an eminent economist).
Few people would disagree with me when I say that there is a cynicism about politicians, a growing criticism of the Parliament as an institution. Scientists, planners, economists and citizens’ groups publicly say, these days, that parliament is out of touch with the needs of the community…
I can find no arguments to sustain the view that local councils should not be a training sphere for the State and National Parliaments. The importance of Local Government in NSW can be gauged by the fact that it now spends more than half the money spent by the NSW Government in any one financial year – it is itself big business – Local Government is part of a trinity of government in Australia.
It is a vital and growing part, intimately associated with the needs of people, as opposed to the more remote State and National governments…
For my part, in the Senate, I promise to be in the forefront of a better deal for Local Government. I will be helping to slow down the growth rate of our cities and seeking a genuine policy of decentralisation. I will be pressing the Commonwealth to make money available for urban renewal, for improving the quality of life in all of our major cities.
I hope to play a meaningful role in reducing land prices – in ending racism and in finding the means for all people to live in peace with one another.
The problems of rural areas will be occupying a great deal of my time also. It was the realisation that I have to master many other pressing national problems that finally influenced my decision to leave the Shire scene.
No function of this nature would be complete without my acknowledgement to the many people who have contributed greatly to my career in Local Government.
Firstly, to my mother and father who generously gave me time off from their business to carry out my Local Government duties.
To my wife and family, whose sacrifices can never be repaid.
To the late David Kirkby, whose friendly guidance helped me immeasurably in my early years in Council.
To my own colleagues in Council for their loyalty and support.
To the various Independents in Council and to two Liberal Party Councillors, whose votes were vital over the recent years.
To the officers of Council my heartfelt thanks, in particular those officers who stood by me in the years when the going was toughest.
To Bill Wood, who never spared himself to carry out the construction side of Council’s responsibilities, and the men in his department.
To Athol Hill, the most senior appointed officer of Council and a man who will carry on the traditions of our esteemed friend the late David Kirkby.
To the electors of Caringbah, who have suffered me for 15 years, often voting against their party sympathies to elect a radical, a stirrer, a goer.
To Gerry Mulholland, public relations wizard who helped to turn the tide on so many occasions as we ploughed through heavy seas.
To the Cronulla-Sutherland Leagues Club for their munificent gesture in making these facilities available.
Finally to Norm Rees for chairing this function, to John Harvey and Ray Thorburn for their organisation of the evening – to Sir Frank McDowell and Bob Hawke for their generous attendance in making this night a memorable one in my life.
To all of you a very, very sincere thanks.