In the early 1950s, Sir Raymond and Lady Garrett came to live in Council Street Doncaster where they took an active interest in local affairs.
Twelve years ago Sir Raymond joined the Doncaster-Templestowe Historical Society and later became a life member.
Sir Raymond led an active and interesting life. In the 1920s, he learned to fly and became a pioneer aviator, in the Citizen Air Force and with Larkin Airways. He surveyed and flew a pioneer mail route in the Northern Territory - at that time, a hazardous adventure. In the 1930s, he was a successful photographer, his main client being General Motors and he experimented with colour photography for advertising.
On the outbreak of war, as a member of the Air Force reserve, he was immediately called up by the Air Force, eventually becoming a Group Captain.
After the War, Sir Raymond set up business packaging photographic chemicals in a factory in Doncaster and became a director and chairman of Ilford Australia.
In 1954, he was elected to the Council of the Shire of Doncaster and Templestowe and in 1958 was elected to the Legislative Council where he became President of the house till he retired in 1976.
Sir Raymond Garrett was 93 at the time of his death in October after leading a full and successful life.
Source: 1994 12 DTHS Newsletter
Victorian MPs Biographical Database - Search Results
GARRETT, Sir Raymond William
Born 19 October 1900, Kew, Victoria, Australia
Died 12 October 1994
Parents: James John Percival, engineer, and Mary Agnes Orchard
Marriage: 1 Dec 1934 \/era Halliday Lugton; 1 s. 2d.
Occupation: Air pilot and manufacturer
Religion: Methodist
Education: Wandin and Brunswick State Schools, Royal
Melbourne Technical College, Melbourne University, science and engineering courses; graduated Royal Australian Air Force Flying School Point Cook, 1926
Career: Commercial air pilot 1927, Citizen Air Force 1927-1937; founded Gliding Club of Vic and Vic.
Gliding Association 1928; holder British Empire glider duration record 1931; chief pilot Larkin Aircraft
Co., Northern Territory; Royal Australian Air Force 1939-1945, group captain; Australian Flying Corps,
Air Efficiency Award; founded photographic chemical firm, Doncaster; chairman llford (Aust.) Pty
Ltd; director Cine Service Pty Ltd; Fellow of the Institute of Directors; trustee Lady Nell Seeing Eye
Dog School; member Monash University Council 1967-1971; JP; member several high school councils;
president Doncaster Boy Scouts Association; president no. 2 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force
Association; Kt 1973; published articles in aviation and motoring magazines; active Methodist
Doncaster and Templestowe shire councillor 1954-1960, president 1955-1956
Party: Liberal Country Party; Liberal Party .
Party Note: President Doncaster branch
MLC Southern June 1958 - June 1970
MLC Templestowe June 1970 - March 1976
Appointments: President Legislative Council 1968-1976. Chairman of Committees 1964-1968.
Standing Orders committee 1958-1976. Statute Law Revision committee 1963-1964. Printing and
Library committees 1968-1976.
Condolence Speeches - Legislative Assembly
Condolence Speeches - Legislative Council
References: Who's Who in Australia 1962-1983; 'Notable Australians', Melbourne, 1978; Eastern Post 1
Nov 1970; personal information
Initial Data Source: Browne, G, 'Biographical Register of the Victorian Parliament 1900-84', 1985
last Update: 1985 (last date the whole record was systematically checked and updated)
* The Start date for a Member's parliamentary service refers to the date they were sworn in as a
Member, not the date they were elected. The End date for a Member's parliamentary service, when
it coincides with the end of a specific Parliament, refers to the date that Parliament was prorogued,
not the date of the subsequent election.
Source: Victorian Parliamentary Library, 2002 http:/ /librmy.parliamentvic.gov.au/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll? AC=GET RECORD... 13/09/2004
Sir Raymond William Garrett - Parliament of Victoria
Former Member: Member of Victorian Parliament between 1958 and 1976
Born: 19 October 1900 (Kew, Victoria)
Died: 12 October 1994 (Box Hill, Victoria)
Parties represented
Liberal and Country Party
Liberal Party
Electorates
Templestowe (20 May 1970 - 19 March 1976)
Southern (21 June 1958 - 29 May 1970)
*The start date for Members elected after 1900 is the date they were elected. The start date for pre-1900 Members is the date they were sworn in.
Position
President of the Legislative Council (1 February 1968 - 30 June 1976)
Committee Memberships
Member House Committee (13 April 1976 - 6 March 1978)
Member Library Committee (13 April 1976 - 6 March 1978)
Member Printing Committee (13 April 1976 - 6 March 1978)
Member Standing Orders Committee (13 April 1976 - 6 March 1978)
Member House Committee (10 September 1974 - 12 February 1976)
Member Library Committee (10 September 1974 - 12 February 1976)
Member Printing Committee (10 September 1974 - 12 February 1976)
Member Standing Orders Committee (10 September 1974 - 12 February 1976)
Member House Committee (19 June 1973 - 9 September 1974)
Member Library Committee (19 June 1973 - 9 September 1974)
Member Printing Committee (19 June 1973 - 9 September 1974)
Member Standing Orders Committee (19 June 1973 - 9 September 1974)
Member House Committee (5 September 1972 - 16 April 1973)
Member Library Committee (5 September 1972 - 16 April 1973)
Member Printing Committee (5 September 1972 - 16 April 1973)
Member Standing Orders Committee (5 September 1972 - 16 April 1973)
Member House Committee (31 August 1971 - 4 September 1972)
Member Library Committee (31 August 1971 - 4 September 1972)
Member Printing Committee (31 August 1971 - 4 September 1972)
Member Standing Orders Committee (31 August 1971 - 4 September 1972)
Member House Committee (17 June 1970 - 30 August 1971)
Member Library Committee (17 June 1970 - 30 August 1971)
Member Printing Committee (17 June 1970 - 30 August 1971)
Member Standing Orders Committee (17 June 1970 - 30 August 1971)
Member House Committee (9 September 1969 - 14 April 1970)
Member Library Committee (9 September 1969 - 14 April 1970)
Member Printing Committee (9 September 1969 - 14 April 1970)
Member Standing Orders Committee (9 September 1969 - 14 April 1970)
Member House Committee (10 September 1968 - 8 September 1969)
Member Library Committee (10 September 1968 - 8 September 1969)
Member Printing Committee (10 September 1968 - 8 September 1969)
Member Standing Orders Committee (10 September 1968 - 8 September 1969)
Member Standing Orders Committee (16 May 1967 - 9 September 1968)
Member Standing Orders Committee (7 September 1966 - 20 March 1967)
Member Standing Orders Committee (15 September 1965 - 6 September 1966)
Member Standing Orders Committee (14 July 1964 - 14 September 1965)
Member Standing Orders Committee (2 September 1963 - 10 May 1964)
Member Statute Law Revision Committee (2 September 1963 - 10 March 1964)
Member Standing Orders Committee (5 September 1962 - 1 September 1963)
Member Statute Law Revision Committee (5 September 1962 - 1 September 1963)
Member Standing Orders Committee (1 August 1961 - 4 September 1962)
Member Standing Orders Committee (14 September 1960 - 1 June 1961)
Member Standing Orders Committee (1 September 1959 - 13 September 1960)
Member Standing Orders Committee (8 July 1958 - 31 August 1959)
Speeches
Inaugural speech: Parliament | 18 November 1958
Condolence speech Legislative Assembly | 12 October 1994
Condolence speech Legislative Council | 12 October 1994
Awards: Kt 1973
Source: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/raymond-garrett/ as at Apr2025
DEATH OF SIR RAYMOND WILLIAM GARRETT, AFC, AEA
18 October 1994 Condolences KENNETT
Mr KENNETT (Premier) -- I move:
That this house expresses its sincere sorrow at the death of the Honourable
Sir Raymond William Garrett, AFC, AEA, and places on record its acknowledgment
of the valuable services rendered by him to the Parliament and the people of
Victoria as member of the Legislative Council for the electoral province of
Southern from 1958 to 1970, the electoral province of Templestowe from 1970 to
1976, and the President of the Legislative Council from 1968 to 1976 and
Chairman of Committees of the Legislative Council from 1964 to 1968.
The Honourable Sir Raymond Garrett was born in Melbourne in 1900 and died
peacefully last Wednesday, 12 October 1994. The funeral service will be held
tomorrow.
It is true to say that Sir Raymond Garrett was a very great Australian because
of his wide community service.
He was an outstanding member of the Victorian community and was knighted in 1973
for his services to the community in politics, civic affairs and defence. He was
a graduate of the University of Melbourne, where he studied both science and
engineering. He went on to join the newly formed Royal Australian Air Force and
in 1928 became a graduate of the Point Cook flying school.
Sir Raymond continued to serve with the Citizen Air Force after he became a
pioneer of the Australian commercial aviation industry. Flying as the chief
pilot with Larkin Aircraft Company, he provided the first air links between
Darwin and other Northern Territory townships. Not even Qantas operated on these
routes at that time.
As a glider pilot he set the British Empire gliding duration record in 1928, and
he went on to establish the Gliding Club of Victoria with the objective of
allowing aspiring pilots access to inexpensive flying experience. The club
continues to flourish to this day.
During World War II Sir Raymond saw active service with the RAAF as the
commanding officer of several squadrons, progressing to the rank of group
captain. During his military service Sir Raymond was awarded the Air Force Cross
and the Air Efficiency Award.
Because he had an enterprising spirit, it was not surprising that after the war
Sir Raymond established a successful photographic chemical firm in Doncaster.
His business interests in photography, which had developed from a hobby, also
led him to the position of chairman and director of several prominent
photographic product companies.
Together with his wife and family, Sir Raymond settled in the Doncaster
community. He went on to serve as a local councillor for six years, including a
term as President of the Shire of Doncaster and Templestowe.
He also became president of the Doncaster branch of the Liberal Party, and in
1956 was asked by the party to contest the then Labor-held seat of Southern
Province. Sir Raymond won the seat and set to work serving his electorate, which
was then the largest in Victoria, with 330 000 electors spread over 27
municipalities. Southern Province was well served by Sir Raymond, who was noted
for his presence in the community -- whether attending to problems involving
public facilities or assisting with both development and building projects --
and his attendance at social engagements.
Rapid growth in Southern Province made the work of serving the electorate too
difficult for one representative.
A 1970 redistribution created the seat of Templestowe Province, which Sir
Raymond held until his retirement from politics in 1976. He held the post of
Chairman of Committees from 1964 to 1968 before commencing an eight-year term as
President of the Legislative Council.
He is remembered as an astute and conscientious President whose sense of fair
play contributed significantly to the quality of debate in the chamber. As the
chairman of several parliamentary committees he was instrumental in appointing
several women to important posts on the parliamentary staff. He also publicly
supported the increase of women Mps in state Parliament.
Both during and after his eighteen years of state political service Sir Raymond
remained active in the wider community.
He was a member of the Monash University Council during a critical stage in the
early development of that institution; he became a trustee and life governor of
the Lady Nell Seeing Eye Dog School; he was a member of the councils of several
high schools; and he was president of the Doncaster Boy Scouts Association. Each
of those organisations, as well as the community as a whole, undoubtedly
prospered as a result of the contribution and dedication of Sir Raymond. On
retirement from politics Sir Raymond intended to devote more time to his
hobbies, which still included photography and an interest in sports cars.
However, he continued to be active in the community, specifically lending his
support to several charities.
Some of us, fewer in number today than five years ago, were members of this
Parliament in 1976 when Sir Raymond was still President of the Council. He was,
without a doubt, a gentleman by any definition of that term, and his service and
long life are things that many of us in this place could easily aspire to.
________________________________________
Page 1168
On behalf of the government I extend my condolences to his family, in particular
his daughters, Anne and Wilma, and his son, John, and their families.
Mr BRUMBY (Leader of the Opposition) -- I support the motion moved by the
Premier and on behalf of the opposition extend my condolences to the family of
the late Sir Raymond Garrett, who passed away last week. I did not have the
opportunity of knowing Sir Raymond, but his contribution to Parliament and to
this state was very significant indeed. Sir Raymond was born in October 1900,
only weeks before the Colony of Victoria become the State of Victoria and the
Australian Federation was created. He was educated at Wandin and Brunswick state
schools, the Royal Melbourne Technical College and Melbourne University,
graduating with engineering and science qualifications. His education in those
disciplines served him well throughout his life.
As the Premier noted, Sir Raymond was one of the earlier graduates of the RAAF
flying school, completing his training in 1926. After that he became a
commercial air pilot and was a member of the Citizen Air Force between 1927 and
1937. The Citizen Air Force did much to supplement the nation's preparations for
war just a few years later. When war occurred Sir Raymond naturally enough
rejoined the RAAF. He was appointed as group captain and served his nation until
the end of hostilities in 1945. He was awarded the Air Force Cross and the Air
Efficiency Award.
After the war Sir Raymond become more closely involved in business activities.
His interest in photography led him to establish a photographic chemical firm in
Doncaster, and he later become chairman of Ilford (Australia). In 1958 Sir
Raymond entered the Victorian Parliament as the member representing Southern
Province in the other place. As the Premier noted, at that time his electorate
covered a huge area stretching from Marysville to Werribee.
He served that electorate until 1970 when he became the member representing
Templestowe Province, which he served for another six years. Between 1968 and
1976 Sir Raymond had the distinction of serving as the President of the
Legislative Council.
In 1973 Sir Raymond's services to Parliament, to civic affairs and to defence
were recognised when he was awarded a knighthood. He contributed a great deal to
Victoria. He founded the Victorian Gliding Association in the 1920s, served as a
councillor with the Shire of Doncaster and Templestowe in the 1950s, and was an
active member of the Lady Nell Seeing Eye Dog School and the Monash University
council.
One of the interesting changes during Sir Raymond's time was the increasing role
of women in public life. Sir Raymond was born at a time when Victorian women
were denied the right to vote. That right was not granted until 1908.
Sir Raymond was a young man before women were even permitted to stand for
Parliament. Press reports suggest that many years later, as President of the
Legislative Council, he supervised the appointment of the first two women to
hold positions of employment in the Council. Even though it was to be three
years after his retirement -- in fact, in 1979 -- before the first women members
were elected to the Legislative Council, Sir Raymond played a small but
nevertheless important role in helping to overcome some of the barriers
confronting Victorian women.
The life of Sir Raymond Garrett was one of service to the people of the state of
Victoria, and on behalf of all members of the Victorian opposition I extend my
sincere sympathy and condolences to his family.
Mr McNAMARA (Minister for Police and Emergency Services) - I join with the
Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in supporting the condolence motion for
the Honourable Sir Raymond William Garrett, who was a member of the Legislative
Council for Southern Province from 1958 to 1970 and for Templestowe Province
from 1970 to 1976. He also served as President of the Legislative Council from
1968 to 1976. Sir Raymond served in the RAAF during World War II, retiring with
the rank of group captain. He became a commercial airline pilot in 1927 and set
a British Empire glider duration record in 1931. He was also awarded the Air
Force Cross and the Air Efficiency Award.
As mentioned by the Premier, he also established the Gliding Club of Victoria,
which is now located at Benalla in my electorate and which only a few years ago
hosted the world gliding championships. He served for eight years in the Citizen
Air Force and for six years in the RAAF Reserve. He saw six and a half years war
service in the RAAF before retiring.
________________________________________
Page 1169
He had a distinguished war record, which has been mentioned by the Premier and
the Leader of the Opposition.
Sir Raymond Garrett was married with three children. In addition to his flying
talents he also found time to be a company director. In 1958 he was elected as
the Liberal member for the Legislative Council seat of Southern Province, which
stretched in an arc around Melbourne, north to south, from Marysville to
Werribee. In 1973 he was named in the Queen's Birthday honours list, receiving a
knighthood for services to the community and politics, civic affairs and
defence. Sir Raymond retired from politics in June 1976 at the age of 75, saying
he wanted to spend more time doing metalwork, woodwork and photography. By then
he had spent 18 years in state politics.
Sir Raymond has been described as an affable man who could maintain complete
impartiality while presiding over the Legislative Council.
He said at the time that:
Victoria had one of the best debating chambers in Australia and the standard
of debate was improving.
He said:
They play politics very hard in the lower house ... We are often accused of
not sitting as long but we are more direct in speaking and waste less time.
Perhaps that may be an issue for debate at another time!
In a profile of him Sir Raymond is reported as having had a hand in appointing
the first two women to hold important posts in the Parliament of Victoria.
Sir Raymond, as Chairman of the Library Committee, was the first President of
the Legislative Council to appoint a woman Hansard reporter. He was also
involved in the appointment of a woman to the position of Parliamentary
Librarian, the first time any woman had reached such a position in either the
public service or the Victorian Parliament. He strongly advocated the need for
more women in Parliament.
He was described earlier as a great personality. He was given the job as
President of the Legislative Council because he was someone who could maintain
complete impartiality, never giving way to emotion or bias. Those traits were
certainly well admired.
On behalf of the government I join with the Premier and the Leader of the
Opposition in extending condolences to Sir Raymond's daughters, Anne and Wilma,
and his son, John.
Mr PERTON (Doncaster) -- Raymond Garrett died at the age of 93. He made his
maiden speech some two weeks before I was born, and he left parliamentary life
before I left secondary school.
He was a man who, at 76, was described by the then Leader of the Labor Party in
the Legislative Council, Jack Galbally, as being 'blessed with robust health,
peace of mind and remarkable powers of physical and mental capacity'.
When I was selected by the Liberal Party to run for Parliament for the seat of
Doncaster, I paid Sir Raymond a visit. At the age of 88 that remarkable man and
his lovely wife gave me the guidance that a young person running for Parliament
needed. As well as giving me guidance on campaigning and other matters, he said,
'Remain enthusiastic regardless, and remain persistent. Persistence breaks down
all barriers'.
He was a Liberal in the utilitarian tradition. In his maiden speech he
explicitly stated that he saw his duty as 'doing the greatest good for the
greatest number'. In his book Utilitarianism, the great liberal writer John
Stuart Mill said that utilitarianism could achieve its ends 'only by the general
cultivation of nobleness of character'. Raymond Garrett was certainly a man
noble in character.
In the year Sir Raymond was born, Theodore Roosevelt, then Vice-president of the
United States of America, said:
We do not admire the man of timid peace. We admire the man who embodies
victorious effort; the man who never wrongs his neighbour; who is prompt to
help a friend; but who has those virile qualities to win in the stern strife
of actual life.
________________________________________
Page 1170
Raymond Garrett was certainly such a man. As a man of action, he was an early
graduate of the RAAF flying school at Point Cook, and he was an aviation pioneer
in the Northern Territory. With the nickname Spanner, Raymond Garrett became
commanding officer of two Australian squadrons during the Second World War and
played a very special role at the end of the war, flying home Australians who
had been prisoners of war of the Japanese.
He had a passion for things mechanical and technical. He produced the first
colour print advertising for Australian newspapers, and he became the Australian
chairman of the Ilford company. He was also a lover of sports cars.
Despite all the work he had to do and despite his other activities, he had time
for his fellow man, which was recognised in his life governorship of the Lady
Nell Seeing Eye Dog School.
He was part of the 1940s and 1950s era of pioneer Liberals. He established the
Doncaster branch of the Liberal Party and remained a member until his death. His
liberal thoughts in the 1960s and 1970s included the need for more women in
Parliament and community participation in politics; and he was a supporter of
increased access to tertiary education.
He had a good sense of humour. In his retirement speech he related the story of
the visit of a military governor from a Third World country. Hansard reports Sir
Raymond as saying:
I asked him, 'Have you a Parliament?', and he replied, 'Yes'. I asked him,
'How are your members elected?', to which he replied, 'They are not elected'.
I asked, 'How do they get there?'; he said, 'I appoint them'. I asked, 'How do
you get there?'; he said, 'I am appointed by the president'. I asked, 'Who
appoints the president?'. He replied, 'Bang, bang, bang, a coup!'.
His philosophy of life was exemplified in his retirement speech as President of
the Council. He said, 'However, one good thing about life is that there are
better fish in the sea than ever came out of it. As we oldies move on, one sees
the young taking our places and life goes on'.
I can think of no greater tribute to the man than the members of the Doncaster
and Templestowe Liberal Party branches that he helped establish. I pay tribute
to him, and I pass on condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.
Mr PERRIN (Bulleen) -- I wish to contribute to the motion before the house,
which pays tribute to the late Sir Raymond Garrett. I do not wish to go over his
past community achievements because they have been very well outlined by other
honourable members. But I will outline my personal association with him over a
long period.
I first met Sir Raymond in 1970 when I moved to Lower Templestowe. At that time
he was the member representing Templestowe Province and the President of the
Legislative Council. When I moved into the area and joined the local branch of
the Liberal Party, Sir Raymond was well known in Liberal circles as a wonderful
member of Parliament. He was held in the highest possible esteem compared with
the esteem in which other members of Parliament from the area were held.
In those days, Templestowe Province was absolutely huge. Other honourable
members have talked about the size of the former Southern Province, but
Templestowe was very large: it extended from Box Hill to the other side of the
Yarra River, into Eltham and other eastern areas.
When he retired in 1976, I was one of the people who decided to attempt to get
Liberal Party endorsement to replace him. I well remember standing for
preselection. In those days I was a younger man!
I well remember my preselection speech to the delegates at the convention, when
I said how hard it would be for me as a young member to replace as wonderful a
person and as well-established a member of Parliament as Sir Raymond Garrett. As
it turned out, I was not successful. However, the individual who defeated me, Dr
Ralph Howard, held the seat for only one term and was defeated in the 1982
election.
I met Sir Raymond and Lady Garrett at functions on many occasions. He was held
in such high esteem that he continued to receive invitations to community
functions.
Lady Garrett died in very unfortunate circumstances as a result of a motor car
accident. I am sure that those who know the circumstances of the accident will
understand that Sir Raymond was very bitter at having lost his wonderful wife in
that way.
Those who attended the funeral service for Lady Garrett at the Church of Christ
in Doncaster Road, Doncaster, were well aware of the tremendous community
support for the couple. Sir Raymond felt keenly the loss of his life-long
companion.
We saw him from time to time, the last time being early this year at the City of
Doncaster and Templestowe mayoral dinner, which he attended as a guest of the
mayor. I believe he attended every mayoral dinner because he felt it was his
duty as a member of the community he had never forsaken. He was always
recognised as and considered to be a wonderful community representative.
My impressions of him are that he was a gentleman and a wonderful person. I
never heard him say a bad word about anyone. As the honourable member for
Doncaster said, he had a dry sense of humour. Those who chatted with Sir Raymond
and Lady Garrett appreciated his infectious warmth.
________________________________________
Page 1171
I know that he has many friends in Doncaster and Templestowe and many people
hold him in the highest esteem. On behalf of the constituents of Bulleen whom
Sir Raymond Garrett represented for many years in Parliament I offer condolences
to his family on this very sad occasion.
The SPEAKER -- Order! I join the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, the
Deputy Premier and other honourable members of this house in paying my respects
and condolences to the late Sir Raymond Garrett. Listening to the speeches here
this afternoon, one can only wonder at the ability of our forebears not only to
cram their lives with excitement but also to provide service in many ways.
Sir Raymond kept contact with this institution through his association with
former members and was seen around Parliament House from time to time. I join
with all other honourable members in offering my condolences to his family.
In order to pay tribute to Sir Raymond and that the question be agreed to, I ask
that honourable members stand in their places, signifying their assent to the
motion.
Motion agreed to in silence, honourable members showing unanimous agreement by
standing in their places.
Source: Hansard search - Parliament of Victoria - PDF - https://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/?IW_DATABASE=*&IW_FIELD_TEXT=SPEECHID%20CONTAINS%20(19938)%20AND%20SITTINGDATE%20CONTAINS%20(18%20October%201994)&Title=DEATH%20OF%20SIR%20RAYMOND%20WILLIAM%20GARRETT,%20AFC,%20AEA&IW_SORT=n:OrderId&LDMS=Y
Legislative Council
DEATH OF SIR RAYMOND WILLIAM GARRETT, AFC, AEA
18 October 1994 Condolences BIRRELL
Hon. M. A. BIRRELL (Minister for Conservation and Environment) -- I move:
That this house expresses its sincere sorrow at the death, on 12 October 1994,
of Sir Raymond William Garrett, AFC, AEA, and places on record its
acknowledgment of the valuable services rendered by him to the Parliament and
the people of Victoria as a member of the Legislative Council for the Southern
Province from 1958 to 1970, and for the Templestowe Province from 1970 to
1976, and as President of the Legislative Council from 1968 to 1976.
Sir Raymond William Garrett was born in Melbourne in 1900 and died last
Wednesday, 12 October 1994. Sir Raymond was an outstanding member of the
Victorian community and was knighted in 1973 for his services to the community
in politics, civic affairs and defence.
Sir Raymond was a graduate of the University of Melbourne, where he studied both
science and engineering. He went on to join the newly formed Royal Australian
Air Force and in 1926 became a graduate of the Point Cook flying school. While
Sir Raymond continued to serve with the Citizen Air Force he became a pioneer of
Australian commercial aviation. Flying as the chief pilot with Larkin Aircraft
Company he provided the first air links between Darwin and other Northern
Territory townships. Not even Qantas operated on those routes at that time. In
1928 as a glider pilot he set the British Empire gliding duration record and
went on to establish the Gliding Club of Victoria with the objective of allowing
aspiring pilots access to inexpensive flying experience. The club continues to
flourish to this day.
During World War II Sir Raymond saw active service with the RAAF as the
commanding officer of several squadrons and progressed to the rank of group
captain.
During his military service Sir Raymond was awarded the Air Force Cross and the
Air Efficiency Award.
Having an enterprising spirit it is not surprising that after the war Sir
Raymond established a successful photographic chemical firm in Doncaster. His
business interests in photography, which had developed from a hobby, also led
him to the position of chairman and director of several prominent photographic
product companies.
Together with his wife and family Sir Raymond settled in the Doncaster community
and went on to serve as a local councillor for six years, including a term as
the President of the Shire of Doncaster and Templestowe. He also became
president of the Doncaster branch of the Liberal Party and in 1956 was asked by
the party to contest the then Labor-held seat of Southern Province.
Sir Raymond won the seat and set to work serving his electorate which was then
the largest in Victoria with 330 000 electors spread over 27 municipalities.
Southern Province was well served by Sir Raymond, who was noted for his presence
in the community, whether attending to the problems of public facilities,
assisting with development and building projects or simply his attendance at
social engagements. Rapid growth in the Southern Province made the work of
serving the electorate too difficult for one representative and a 1970
redistribution created the seat of Templestowe Province which Sir Raymond held
until retirement from politics in 1976.
Sir Raymond held the post of Chairman of Committees from 1964 to 1968 before
commencing an eight-year term as President of the Legislative Council. He is
remembered as an astute and conscientious President who had a sense of fair play
that contributed significantly to the quality of debate in the chamber.
As the chairman of several other parliamentary committees he was instrumental in
the appointment of several women to important posts within the parliamentary
staff. He also publicly supported an increase in the number of women MPs in the
state Parliament.
Both during and after his 18 years of state political service Sir Raymond
remained active in the wider community. He was a member of the Monash University
council during a critical stage in the early development of the institution. He
became a trustee and life governor of the Lady Nell Seeing Eye Dog School, and
he was a member of several high school councils and president of the Doncaster
district Boy Scouts Association. Each of these organisations and the community
as a whole undoubtedly prospered
from the contribution and dedication of Sir Raymond.
________________________________________
Page 508
On retirement from politics Sir Raymond intended to devote more time to his
hobbies, which included photography and an interest in sports cars; however, he
continued to be active in the community lending his support to several
charities.
On behalf of my government I extend condolences to the family of Sir Raymond
William Garrett, including his daughters, Anne and Wilma, his son, John, and
their families.
Hon. T. C. THEOPHANOUS (Jika Jika) -- On behalf of the opposition I offer my
condolences to the family of the late Sir Raymond William Garrett, who passed
away last Thursday. I did not have the pleasure of knowing Sir Raymond, but his
contribution to Parliament and to this state was very significant.
Sir Raymond was born in October 1900, only a matter of weeks before the Colony
of Victoria became the state of Victoria and the Australian Federation began.
His life can be assessed for the value it added to this state. Sir Raymond was
educated at Wandin and Brunswick primary schools, Royal Melbourne Technical
College and the University of Melbourne, where he graduated with engineering and
science qualifications.
Sir Raymond was one of the earlier graduates of the Royal Australian Air Force
flying school, completing his training in 1926. He became a commercial air pilot
and a member of the Citizen Air Force between 1927 and 1937. When war broke out
Sir Raymond rejoined the RAAF as a group captain and served his nation until the
end of hostilities in 1945. He was awarded the Air Force Cross and the Air
Efficiency Award.
After the war Sir Raymond became more closely involved in business activities.
His interest in photography led him to establish a photographic chemical firm in
Doncaster, and he later became Chairman of Ilford Australia Pty Ltd.
In 1958 Sir Raymond entered the Victorian Parliament as an honourable member for
Southern Province. At that time his electorate covered an enormous area,
stretching from Marysville to Werribee. He served that province until 1970 when
he became a member for Templestowe Province, which he served for a further six
years. Between 1968 and 1976 Sir Raymond had the distinction of serving as
President of the Legislative Council.
He contributed a good deal to Victoria and his interests were not confined to
the Parliament, but spread outside it. He was active with the Lady Nell Seeing
Eye Dog School and the council of Monash University. The local newspaper ran an
article on his achievements and reported his stated opinion on his chosen career
as being:
Unless you're as strong as a horse keep out of politics.
It further reported that his reason for entering politics was to help other
people, which I suppose is the reason why many members have become involved in
politics. The fact that Sir Raymond had a view on women in Parliament has been
referred to. One of the interesting changes that occurred in Sir Raymond's time
was the increasing role of women in public life. Sir Raymond was born at a time
when women in Victoria were denied the right to vote, which was not granted
until 1908. Sir Raymond was a young man before women were even permitted to
stand for Parliament. Many years later, as President of the Legislative Council,
press reports suggest that he was instrumental in the appointment of the first
two women to be appointed to positions of employment in the Parliament -- one as
a Hansard reporter and the other as the Chief Librarian of the Parliamentary
Library. The newspaper report of the time stated:
It is believed to be the first time a woman has reached either rank in the
public service in Victoria.
Although it was some three years after his retirement, 1979, before the first
women were elected to the Legislative Council, Sir Raymond played a small but
important role in helping overcome some of the barriers that have confronted
Victorian women.
The life of Sir Raymond Garrett was one of service to the people of Victoria. On
behalf of all members of the opposition I extend my sympathy to his children.
Hon. W. R. BAXTER (Minister for Roads and Ports) -- When I came to this
Parliament in 1973 aged 26 years Sir Raymond Garrett was President of the
Legislative Council and was 73 years of age, so one could say there was
something of a generation gap between us.
In the three years we served together in Parliament prior to Sir Raymond's
retirement in 1976 I do not think I ever came to know him well; certainly I
never came to address him as anything other than Sir Raymond or Mr President. I
should point out that for those of us who were members of the Legislative
Assembly in those days the Legislative Council was a somewhat remote and
mysterious place and there was not much cross-fertilisation.
Sir Raymond always struck me as a very gentle man who had a strong belief in
what was right and what was correct behaviour. There is no doubt that he upheld
the traditions of the Parliament and in particular of this chamber to the
highest degree.
Sir Raymond came to the Parliament at the age of 58 years, which in these days
would be considered a late age.
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As has already been said by the leaders of the other parties, after a very
successful career in industry and aviation and with a distinguished record he
succeeded to the presidency upon the death in office of Sir Ronald Mack. During
the eight years he presided over this chamber he built up a fine record as an
excellent president.
Sir Raymond left the Parliament in 1976 and lived to a great age -- it would
have been his 94th birthday tomorrow. I consider myself fortunate to have, as a
very new and young member of Parliament in 1973, had the opportunity of serving,
albeit at a distance, with so distinguished a parliamentarian as Sir Raymond
Garrett. I consider that to be one of the highlights of my time in Parliament.
On behalf of my colleagues in the National Party, I pass on condolences to his
family.
Hon. B. A. E. SKEGGS (Templestowe) -- Sir Raymond Garrett, aviation pioneer,
war veteran, shire president and President of the Legislative Council was truly
a notable Australian. With Mr Forwood, I have the honour to represent a province
that Sir Raymond Garrett first represented, Templestowe Province. Before that he
represented Southern Province. Sir Raymond represented Templestowe Province with
great distinction and was very much a part of the life of Doncaster and
Templestowe: his community. He was the first President of the Shire of Doncaster
and Templestowe, having served in local government with great distinction before
entering this Parliament.
The great service he gave to this Parliament will be on the record and
remembered for many years, because he was one of the most dignified Presidents
of the Legislative Council that I have ever known.
Like Mr Baxter, I entered Parliament in 1973, and we looked to Sir Raymond
Garrett as one of the great parliamentarians of that time, the President of this
place, a position that then carried a great aura -- I hope it still does,
because it should. There is no doubt that when Sir Raymond followed in the
footsteps of Sir Ronald Mack, who was also a strong and dignified President of
this place, he upheld the highest traditions of the Parliament to the letter.
Sir Raymond and his wife, Vera, were seen at every local function you could
imagine throughout Doncaster and Templestowe, both when it was a shire and later
when it became the City of Doncaster and Templestowe. At local events Sir
Raymond and his wife would be seen representing the shire and later Sir Raymond
attended in his capacity as the member for Templestowe Province and President of
the Legislative Council. The same could be said for Liberal branch meetings --
Sir Raymond and his wife were very active people.
One of the great tragedies of Sir Raymond's life was that his dear wife, Vera,
died as a result of a car smash. I believe that weighed heavily on Sir Raymond
for the rest of his life because they were a Darby and Joan couple. He loved his
wife dearly and they were much admired everywhere they went. His wife's death
was one of the great tragedies of his remarkable career.
Sir Raymond's career was successful on all fronts: in aviation; during the war,
when he rose to the rank of group captain; in his own commercial venture before
he entered Parliament; and in this place.
He not only loved aviation but was also one of the great pioneers of commercial
aviation. We speak of people like Sir Reginald Ansett and the role he played as
a pioneer of aviation, but Sir Raymond Garrett can certainly be spoken of in the
same category because he was one of the people who helped set up and pilot
commercial airlines in the early years.
Sir Raymond Garrett will be remembered very much as one of the great people of
the Doncaster and Templestowe area. He is still spoken of with a great deal of
respect and a great deal of affection. It is interesting to note that one of the
first things he did after retiring from Parliament was to help set up the Former
Parliamentary Members Association, and he was the first president of that
association. Even after he retired from the Parliament his interests were in
ensuring that those who had served in the Parliament would still have a voice
that would be respected by this institution. He did a great deal to further that
association, which now numbers hundreds of former members. The association
became the pilot for the development of former member associations in all states
of Australia. There is now a national network, but the first person to create
this organisation was Sir Raymond Garrett, and no doubt all of us will at
sometime or other join that association and will have Sir Raymond's initial
efforts to thank.
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Page 510
I believe Sir Raymond Garrett will have a special place in the history of this
Parliament. I am glad that we honour our past presidents by hanging their
portraits in a special place. His place in that gallery of great people of this
Parliament is well deserved and will live on forever.
Honourable Members -- Hear, hear!
Hon. G. H. COX (Nunawading) -- I support honourable members in their comments
about Sir Raymond Garrett. During his time here in the Parliament my contact
with Sir Raymond was first spent out in the electorate when I was a City of
Nunawading councillor.
I had many occasions of being in the presence of Sir Raymond and his wife Vera,
who accompanied him to many council functions in the eastern suburbs, and later
when Sir Raymond as the upper house member for Templestowe Province shared his
electorate with Dorothy Goble, the member for Mitcham, in the seat that was
created in 1967, and I had the opportunity of seeing a great deal of him again
during the elections of 1970 and 1973 when I was working both for Dorothy and
Sir Raymond.
He was a delightful man, a man of great enthusiasm and someone who looked
optimistically towards the future. Because of his particular interest in and
enthusiasm for motor cars he was nicknamed Spanner, and we had many
conversations about vintage motor cars, he remembering more than I did. I was a
user of them but he was a person who had grown up in that interesting period of
the development of vintage motor cars.
We also had a great deal in common in photography, and he was a very competent
amateur photographer. Honourable members may see some of the work he has left in
this place, not his own work, but from Ilford -- photographs of London during
the blitz period -- which were presented to the Parliament by Sir Raymond.
In 1976 there was a short period of overlap in terms of members as the
Legislative Council worked through until June after an election. I came into
Parliament in March 1976 and Sir Raymond was here until June 1976, so I had the
opportunity of spending a few short months with him.
I believe the community at large is certainly better for the efforts of Sir
Raymond. Sir Raymond is one of the many who has gone before us in doing work
that was in the best interests of community development and in the best
interests of upholding the parliamentary democracy we have and work with today.
He was a grand man; he was someone that you had pleasure in meeting and in
knowing. I express my sincere wishes and thoughts to his children and extended
family on this sad day for them.
Hon. BILL FORWOOD (Templestowe) -- I rise to pay tribute to Sir Raymond
Garrett's contribution to Australia, Victoria and above all, to his fellow human
beings. He would have been 94 tomorrow. In all respects he was a fine and
distinguished Australian: as a commercial flier; as an adventurer in the
Northern Territory; in his war service; as a glider pilot and as the founder of
the gliding school; as a businessman; as a parliamentarian of 18 years service;
as President of this chamber for eight years; and of course, as a local member
for Doncaster and Templestowe.
He is a man who reached high achievement in everything that he did, but
throughout it all he maintained a common touch and the willingness to help.
There are stories in his electorate about him. After receiving his knighthood
and being the President of this place, he still put on his gumboots and trampled
through the mud in the back streets and unpaved roads of Eltham to ensure that
the needs of his constituents were being looked after properly.
In my first speech in this chamber I quoted his first speech where he said:
My view is that we, as legislators, should try to do the greatest good for the
greatest amount of people.
It is an aim that he achieved in his life and one that I know we aspire to here.
Like my colleagues I place on the record my tribute to Sir Raymond.
Motion agreed to in silence, honourable members showing unanimous agreement by
standing in their places.
Source: Hansard search - Parliament of Victoria - PDF- https://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/?IW_DATABASE=*&IW_FIELD_TEXT=SPEECHID%20CONTAINS%20(19766)%20AND%20SITTINGDATE%20CONTAINS%20(18%20October%201994)&Title=DEATH%20OF%20SIR%20RAYMOND%20WILLIAM%20GARRETT,%20AFC,%20AEA&IW_SORT=n:OrderId&LDMS=Y
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