Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I rise to pay tribute to the life and service of Brother William Firman. Brother Bill, as he was known to all, passed away in Launceston on 15 November 2025 after a short illness. He was 82 years old. Brother Bill joined the De La Salle Brothers on 13 January 1962 at the age of just 18. For more than 60 years, he dedicated his life to faith, education and service. Brother Bill embodied the Lasallian charism, placing the dignity of every young person at the heart of his work. His vocation was not simply a profession. It was a calling with humility and unwavering commitment.

I had the privilege of knowing Brother Bill during his time as my headmaster of St Bede's College in Mentone. He was a truly remarkable man. Brother Bill was a man of deep integrity and quiet strength, and he enjoyed the profound respect of both students and staff. His leadership was marked by fairness, compassion and a genuine concern for the wellbeing of every boy in his care. Those of us who knew him saw firsthand the way he inspired excellence not only in academics and sport but most importantly in character.

Brother Bill's passing is a great loss to the Lasallian family and to Catholic education in Australia, yet his legacy endures in the countless lives he shaped and the values he championed. I, and thousands of Australian men, am who I am today in large part due to the influence of Brother William Firman. Brother Bill impressed upon us the importance of our school motto, and it is something I continue to try and live my life by—'Per vias rectus', by right paths. On behalf of this house, I extend our deepest condolences to his fellow brothers, his family and the communities he served. May he rest in peace. Vale, Brother William Firman.

I also want to acknowledge the passing of Ian Leavers APM. Ian was a frontline officer, a union leader and a steadfast advocate for the Queensland Police Service. His leadership was marked by conviction and an unshakeable commitment to those who wear our uniform. He brought that same passion to his roles as Queensland's first cross-border commissioner, working to address the real challenges facing border communities and improving the lives of countless officers and their families.

I also want to recognise the toll that service can take. As someone who works closely with mental health advocates in my own community, I know how important it is that we talk openly about men's mental health and support those who carry heavy burdens on behalf of others. To Ian's family, friends and the Queensland Police Service: I extend my sincere condolences on behalf of this place. His passing leaves a real void, and he will be deeply missed. Vale, Ian Leavers.