![]() ![]() Zelman was a natural born communicator who enjoyed public life and he was delighted to accept this new appointment depending on my agreement. I was enjoying a fairly private life and had little taste for public exposure.” I was enjoying a fairly private life and had little taste for public exposure. While our two older sons in their twenties were out of the nest as it were, our two youngest, at 18 and 11, had their lives seriously disrupted, which I regret. In fact, this was one of the highlights of this time for me.įor the family however, there were low-lights or drawbacks. Again and again I am struck in re-reading my diaries how much I enjoyed watching him perform on this stage – and how well he did it. In short he was a “natural” (in my opinion anyway) for this job at this time. He was a talented communicator and he loved public life. He was known as a “public intellectual”, and was not politically aligned. The announcement of his appointment had been received overall with general and widespread approval. He hoped, he said, quoting the Indian Prime Minister Nehru in other circumstances, to bring a “touch of healing”. In this environment Zelman accepted the role. It began in the aftermath of a Constitutional Crisis which had deeply divided the Australian community. Zelman’s term in the Office of Governor-General ran for almost five years, and it was marvellous experience. The list included a cast of characters, but it did not include Zelman – both to my relief and indignation! When I reflect back to that time, I recall that my emotions were at least a little mixed as speculation swirled as to who might succeed Sir John Kerr as Governor-General. Image courtesy of Government House, Canberra.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |