John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise tonight to speak about a great Australian, Mr Greg Bartels. Greg was born on 28 June way back in 1926. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve at the age of 17 in 1943. He tried to get in before that, putting his age up, and finally got there at the age of 17. Greg served on HMAS Shropshire in the Pacific, was promoted to officer rank and achieved the rank of Sub Lieutenant in 1947, when he was demobilised. Greg joined the Commonwealth Public Service and was prominent in university student affairs, including becoming president of the National Union of University Students way back in 1952.

Greg joined the United Nations Secretariat, where he served for over 16 years and was responsible for the Freedom from Hunger campaign in Australia and New Zealand and for the negotiation of a treaty between the United Nations and Japan for the employment of Japanese nationals in the UN Secretariat. He served four years as Treasurer of the United Nations International School Council. He returned to Australia in 1969 and became the first Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and the first Commissioner for Trade Practices, a dual appointment. Greg became senior manager with the British Tobacco Company and occupied directorships with WD & HO Wills and Amalgamated Films.    From 1978 to 1981 Greg was the general secretary of the New South Wales Liberal Party. He spent some time with the Association of Independent Schools and then was Director-General of the Institute of Directors in Australia until his retirement in 1991.

He had a distinguished career as Commissioner of the Local Government Grants Commission and Convenor of the Law Foundation of New South Wales. Greg was heavily involved in community activities. He enjoyed coaching and refereeing rugby union and was very much involved in the Catholic Church, golf, the RSL and the North Sydney Area Health Board and was a councillor on Willoughby Shire Council, including two years as mayor. Greg Bartels contributed to many organisations and the community over a long time.

Greg passed away on 7 May—last month. That is a sad passing for his family. In about 1955 Greg married his lovely wife, Jill, who, sadly, passed away about eight years ago. They had four daughters—the eldest, Kerry Chikarovski, a well-known character in the Australian media and politics. The next was Robyn, a lovely girl, and, sadly, just a few months ago I attended Robyn's funeral. She fell victim to that terrible disease pancreatic cancer. And there is Julianne and the youngest daughter, Michelle. When you meet Michelle you never forget her, for her sapphire-blue eyes. They were a great family, and Greg was a great Australian. He worked hard, studied hard, gave to his community and served his country in defence of our nation. Recently he underwent several operations. The first one had gone pretty well just a few months ago, but that was not the case in the end, and after about three lots of surgery I think Greg just adopted the attitude of, 'Well, it's time to go and meet up with Jill again.' He was a good Australian who was a great husband, a great community man and a good father, and his legacy will live on for many, many years. I pay tribute to you, Greg Bartels, for what you did for our nation.

Senate adjourned at 18:40