FRASER ‘A TRULY GLOBAL’ LEADER
POLITICAL leaders from across the divide, dignitaries and thousands of public mourners gathered yesterday to farewell former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser at a state funeral in Melbourne.
Widow Tamie Fraser, the couple’s four children and his grandchildren were welcomed to the front pews of a packed Scots’ Church where a casket adorned with an Australian flag sat at the foot of the altar.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and former leaders John Howard, Paul Keating and Julia Gillard, Victorian Premier Daniel An
drews and former state leaders as well as all living former governorsgeneral, apart from Bill Hayden, who is unwell, were among those paying respects at the Presbyterian church where Sir Robert Menzies was honoured at his death in 1978.
The large number of public mourners, including many from the Vietnamese community, spread across the cor- ner of Russell and Collins streets to St Michael’s Uniting Church where screens telecast the service and police shut down traffic.
Mr Fraser, who died last Friday aged 84, was remembered for his “long life, well lived”, his dedication of service to the nation and his passionate post-political life of advocacy for universal rights and humanitarianism. Granddaughter Hester Fraser played and sang a moving piano rendition of her composition, The Camellia Tree, and the main eulogy was delivered by Peter Nixon, former National Party member, friend and Fraser government minister.
Mr Nixon said his long-time colleague was a dedicated and fearless politician.
Coming up against Labor prime minister Gough Whitlam in 1975 – “a big man in every way” – including spending, Mr Fraser as opposition leader set up a “classic big-man duel” with Whitlam, with both believing they had right on their side, Mr Nixon said.
“One thing is certain, the country has lost a unique and great Australian,” he said,
Family reflections were given by daughter Phoebe, son Hugh and granddaughter Rachael Fraser.
Hugh Fraser said his father was a “truly global man” who loved Australia.
“He was not merely one of its sons but one of its most fervent custodians,” he said.