Gordon Samuels
Chancellor of the University of New South Wales | |
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In office 1976–1994 | |
Preceded by | Sir Robert Webster |
Succeeded by | Sir Anthony Mason |
Personal details | |
Born | Second World War | 12 August 1923
Gordon Jacob Samuels,
Born in London in 1923, Samuels was educated at
Samuels was later appointed a Judge of the New South Wales Court of Appeal in 1974, serving till his mandatory retirement in 1993, aged 70. A member of the University of New South Wales Council from 1969, Samuels was appointed Chancellor of the University of New South Wales in 1976, serving until 1994, being the longest-serving Chancellor. On retirement from law, Samuels became Chairman of the Law Reform Commission of New South Wales, a position he held until he was appointed governor in 1996. As Governor of New South Wales, he endured significant controversy over the decision not to reside in Government House, Sydney. Despite this he served with distinction and retired in March 2001. He died aged 84 in December 2007.[1]
Early life and background
Samuels was born on 12 August 1923 in
Samuels was educated at
Entering the legal profession, Samuels was called to the bar at
Judicial and academic career
In 1972, Samuels was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, being elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1974. As a Judge of Appeal until 1992, and as an Acting Judge afterwards until 1993, he participated in many of the leading decisions of that court. On Samuels time as a Judge, Justice Michael Kirby commented: "His talents as an appellate judge shone brightly. No judge was more gifted in delivering accurate and elegant ex-tempore reasons immediately following argument. He displayed a command of facts and law and the well-furnished mind that he brought to the resolution of every judicial problem."[3]
While a Judge of Appeal, Samuels performed many other public functions. These included as President of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences (1974–1976), President of the Australian Society of Legal Philosophy (1976–1979), President of the Commonwealth Security Appeals Tribunal (1989–1990), Chairman of the Australian Legal Education Council (1981–1985), and Presiding Member of the Advisory Committee on the Educational Needs of Overseas Trained Doctors and of the NSW Migrant Employment and Qualifications Board (1992–1995).[3]
A member of the
In 1992 the "Samuels Building" was opened on the UNSW Kensington campus. This new research building was named in his and his wife's honour in recognition of their services to the university since 1976.
Governor of New South Wales
The appointment of Samuels as Governor of New South Wales in 1996 was followed by some controversy, not because of any doubt about his qualifications, but because of the accompanying announcement by the Premier of New South Wales, Bob Carr. On 16 January 1996 Carr announced that the next Governor would be Samuels, that he would not live or work at Government House, Sydney and that he would retain his appointment as Chairman of the New South Wales Law Reform Commission. On these changes, Carr said: "The Office of the Governor should be less associated with pomp and ceremony, less encumbered by anachronistic protocol, more in tune with the character of the people."[7] This decision was seen by conservatives as an attempt by Carr, a republican, to downgrade the importance of the office of governor.[8]
On this announcement, The
Nevertheless, despite this turbulent beginning in office, particularly in terms of a change in role, Samuels was able to continue many of the traditions of office and served with dignity and distinction until his retirement in March 2001. On 21 March 2000 the Queen appointed him a
Later life
Samuels remained active after his governorship, inquiring into activities of the
Samuels also resumed his activities in the Law Reform Commission, serving as a Part-time commissioner from 2001 to 2007. He died of a cancer-related illness on 10 December 2007, survived by his wife, Jacqueline, their two daughters, Deborah and Selina Samuels and his grandchildren Rebecca and Samuel. Samuels requested not to be given a state funeral.[13]
Honours
Viceregal styles of Gordon Samuels | ||
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Reference style | His Excellency | |
Spoken style | Your Excellency |
Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) | 1987[4] | |
Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) | 2000[11] | |
Knight of Justice of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem (KStJ) |
1996 | |
Defence Medal | ||
War Medal 1939–1945 | ||
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal | 1977 |
Honorary degrees
- Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) by the University of Sydney.[14]
- In 1994, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) by the University of New South Wales.[2]
References
Citations
- ^ a b c "Pomp replaced with wit and pragmatism". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 December 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
- ^ a b c d e "The Hon. Gordon Samuels". Online Chancellors Exhibition. University of New South Wales. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
- ^ a b c "Hon Gordon Samuels AC CVO QC" (PDF). NSW Law Reform Commission Annual Report 2007-08. NSW Law Reform Commission. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
- ^ a b Companion of the Order of Australia, AC, 8 June 1987, itsanhonour.gov.au
Citation: AC QB 87.For service to learning, to the community and to the law. - ^ "Campus Buildings Exhibition". University of New South Wales Archives. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "SAMUELS, Gordon Jacob". Chairpersons. Law Reform Commission of New South Wales. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
- ^ a b "Editorial – A Governor on the side". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 January 1996.
- ^ "The Queen's man in Sydney loses his palace". The Independent. London. 18 January 1996. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
- ^ Richards, George (1 March 1996). "Era ends as door closes on Governor's home". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Lunn, Stephen (1 March 1996). "Monarchists decry Carr's "republic by stealth"". The Australian.
- ^ a b Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, CVO, 21 March 2000, itsanhonour.gov.au.
- ^ a b "Address To His Excellency The Governor of New South Wales". Hansard. Parliament of New South Wales. 28 February 2001. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
- ^ "Funeral service today for Samuels". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 December 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
- ^ "Senate – Honorary awards". University of Sydney. Retrieved 3 March 2009.