POLITICAL luminaries, media legends and high-achievers from all walks of life, led by Australia’s second longest serving prime minister John Howard, paid tribute to the late Peter Reith AM at a State Memorial Service in St Andrew's Anglican Church in Brighton on Thursday, November 17.
But, at the head of an exceptional body of life’s work, including as a Cabinet Minister from 1996 to 2001, with Defence, Industrial Relations and Small Business portfolios to his credit; his leading role in the establishment of Newhaven College was rated his proudest achievement.
Mr Reith's former media adviser, Ian Hanke, led the eulogies and while he praised Mr Reith as “one of the great men of Australian politics” and among other things as “a fiercely loyal man who defended his friends to the limit”, he saved a significant part of his remarks for Mr Reith’s involvements on Phillip Island.
He spoke about the battle Peter’s parents, Alec and Elaine Reith, had trying to hold on to their property on the Summerland Peninsula, after it had been resumed by the State Government, only to note the irony of Peter playing a prominent role, while on the Penguin Parade committee of the local council, in the establishment of a research centre for those same penguins that had effectively cost his parents their retirement plans.
“Whilst I'm talking about his island life, I can't pass without mentioning another of his achievements that still resonates, and one that his family says was probably his proudest achievement. It was the establishment of Newhaven College, a Prep to year 12, independent school. The principal of the school Tony Corr is here today but let me read to you what he wrote to the family about the establishment of the school.
“In the mid-1970s, before he entered politics, Peter was working as a solicitor on Phillip Island and it was in his living room in Cowes in 1976 that interested parties gathered with the idea of establishing a Christian community school on Phillip Island.
Peter’s vision for the school was one that cooperated with all Christian denominations committed to academic excellence, had a global view on education and a strong commitment to the community.
“I'm proud to say that Peter’s vision is still very much with the school we have today.
“Education is the best legacy which any government can bequeath citizens, because it is a prime mover in every facet of human endeavour. What Peter provided for the young people of South Gippsland for over 40 years and for many generations to come, is access to educational opportunities that simply would not have been available in this area, opportunities that will continue to inspire, motivate and empower to make the world a better place."
Mr Hanke said: “I think that is a very impressive achievement in its own right even if Peter had achieved nothing else, but he achieved a lot more besides.”
Members of the Newhaven College community including Mr Corr, school chair David Jobe, past chairs Pam Cameron and Greg Price, first principal Frank Moore and two of the college’s captains filled one of the pews in a strong showing by the school.
Mr Hanke continued on with some of Mr Reith’s impressive achievements while in government and handed over to the former prime Minister, Mr Howard to continue the glowing tributes.
Thanking the family for giving him the privilege of saying a few words, Mr Howard described Peter Reith as first and foremost a treasured friend and a colleague.
In politics, he said he drew on the terminology from a game for which his passion was well known in describing Mr Reith as a great all-rounder.
Recalling his “enormous capacity” as Leader of the House and sense of humour, he said Peter could be “calm and reassuring” when that was needed but also “relentless and effective” when chasing a policy objective, most notably the reform of the waterfront.
“I have lost somebody I admired a lot, who gave enormously to the liberal cause. He fought very hard for policy change. He wasn't there to draw the parliamentary salary, to enjoy whatever perks of office or glory there might be but to bring about change. And he was an unrelenting person when it came to change he believed in including tax reform and tariff reform,” Mr Howard said.
He acknowledged the friends had differences, including over the Australian Republic Movement, with Mr Howard suspecting Peter Reith might have been something of a monarchist in those days.
“He was somebody who saw public life as a vocation. He wanted to contribute. He attached himself for reasons I can readily understand to the Liberal Party, but he was a person who made friends on both sides of politics, which is something the good’ans are always able to do.”
Three of his four sons; David, Paul and Robbie spoke, as well as the other brother, Simon’s wife Kate.
Number 3 son David opened the batting, saying there was a lot of ground to cover, so better if people read the book.
“Growing up, our father was many things to many people. To his political colleagues, he was a passionate supporter of free enterprise, equality of opportunity, small government, personal liberty, and sound economic management.
“To the small business owner, he was someone they could count on to fight in their corner... to the MUA he was a picture on a dartboard. He was a loving father, brother, husband and uncle. But to us he was just dad. He was loving, funny, incredibly patient and with four sons, an expert at dispute resolution."
Peter Keaston Reith AM died on Tuesday, November 8, after a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 72.
You can view the livestream of Mr Reith's funeral at https://monkhouse.com.au/live-streaming/client/?nid=0b6ad083-d745-40e9-b008-4854683cbe21
