Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today with a heavy heart to acknowledge the passing of George Cowan of Rockhampton, a remarkable Central Queenslander whose life was defined by service, principle and a deep commitment to his community. George was not only well known and respected across Rockhampton and the broader region; he was also family, my second cousin and someone who held a special place in my life. His mother, Margaret, and my mother, Gloria, were first cousins, and that family connection was one we both valued.

George was born and raised in Central Queensland and spent almost four decades serving the Rockhampton community through the legal profession. He was a respected personal injury lawyer; a managing partner of his firm, Rees R and Sydney Jones; and an advocate for ordinary Australians, particularly those injured at work or affected by industrial accidents. He was known as a champion for the battlers and the underdogs, and his work helped shape safer workplaces and greater accountability, particularly in the mining sector. But George was far more than his professional achievements. He was a deeply political person with strong ties to the National Party. He believed in service, in community and in standing up for what he thought was right. He lived his values with conviction and integrity, and he never shied away from putting in the hard work to support the causes and people he believed in.

For many years, George was a touchstone for me. He generously gave his time, his advice and his encouragement. He never faltered, even during the most challenging moments, and for that I will always be deeply grateful. George was also a mentor to many young lawyers. He was a trusted colleague and a steady presence for those who sought his counsel. He was widely admired for his fairness, his intellect and his quiet strength.

Above all, he was a devoted family man—a loving husband to Catherine and a proud father to his daughters, Charlotte and Eliza. His family was at the centre of his world, and his loss will be profoundly felt by them. The world has lost a genuinely good person—a man of warmth, principle and integrity. George Cowan will be deeply missed by his family, by his friends, by his colleagues and by all who were fortunate enough to know him. May he rest in peace.

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