Death of Mr Robert Bruce Duncan, a Former Member of the Legislative Assembly

Mr THOMAS GEORGE (Lismore) [5.46 p.m.]: On Saturday 7 May Lismore lost one of nature's true gentleman with the passing of former member for Lismore Mr Bruce Duncan. Mr Duncan died at Greenwich Private Hospital, aged 76, after a long battle with cancer. Bruce will always be remembered for his unstinting commitment to his community, demonstrated through his 23-year service as the member for Lismore. He was respected in every sphere, wherever he went. More to the point, people stood in awe of his oratory capabilities. A letter to the editor by Tony Madden summed up what Bruce was all about. Tony Madden wrote:

I found him to be a fearless and vigorous advocate for his constituents.

Such was his integrity that one could be completely open with Bruce about the underlying issues of his concern.

His approach was simply what are the real facts, what are the obstacles to a resolution, and what can you and I do to fix it, and pronto. Much of this dialogue occurred in face-to-face or phone contact and rarely through protracted exchanges of formal written representations. A troubled person rarely left Bruce Duncan's office without feeling that the burden had shifted and that they had a very healthy support line in place.

Robert Bruce Duncan's parliamentary career spanned from 1965 to 1988. He was first elected to this place on 1 May 1965 when he won the seat of Lismore by defeating the sitting member, Mr Keith Compton, the then Labor Minister for Lands. He was re-elected to the Forty-second Parliament on 24 February 1968; to the Forty-third Parliament, unopposed, on 22 January 1971; to the Forty-fourth Parliament on 17 November 1973; to the Forty-fifth Parliament, unopposed, on 1 May 1976; to the Forty-sixth Parliament on 7 October 1978; to the Forty-seventh Parliament on 19 September 1981; and to the Forty-eighth Parliament on 24 March 1984. He retired on 22 February 1988, upon the dissolution of the Forty-eighth Parliament. He was shadow Minister for the portfolios of Education, Public Works and Ports. He was a member of parliamentary committees inquiring into the building industry, prostitution and the New South Wales School Certificate. He was also a member of the Public Accounts Committee and held the position of Temporary Chairman of Committees and various other positions.

I pay tribute to Bruce for the work that he performed. He contributed to many organisations in the area, one of which was the Northern Region Surf Life Saving Australia Limited [SLSA] Helicopter Rescue Service. He was on the Community Co-ordination and Fundraising Committee of that service in August 1985; he was appointed to the board from 1986 to 1991; and he was appointed a director from 1998 to 2000. From March 1991 to 1996 he was director of SLSA Helicopters Pty Ltd; and in 1992 he was appointed Chairman of the Northern Region SLSA Helicopter Rescue Service Pty Ltd until his retirement as Chairman in the year 2000. I had the honour of being one of the directors with him. In his inaugural speech Bruce said:

I am conscious of the responsibilities that lie before me and at the same time I am deeply conscious of the great light of example which has been set for me to follow by the former representatives of Lismore.

That is exactly the position that I was placed in because he certainly set an example and left big shoes for me to fill. He was a great inspiration to me and to many people in Lismore in his ability to offer support for everyone. His advice was greatly appreciated. I place on record the sympathy and prayers of the House and send our best wishes to Marlene, his lovely wife, and to Peter and Jobyna, Ian and Frances, and his grandchildren Tim and Sam. The funeral service held here in Sydney was attended by many former members and received the recognition that Bruce Duncan, former member for Lismore, rightly deserved. Vale Bruce Duncan.