LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE MELBOURNE HERALD SUN

14 April 2008

I wonder whether Steve Lewis, in forming his views about General Jeffery (14 April), spoke to any of the 180 or so voluntary and service organisations for which the Governor-General and Mrs Jeffery are patron? Or the farmers, miners, teachers, emergency service workers, indigenous leaders and nurses across Australia who have been visited by the Governor-General and Mrs Jeffery and thanked for their efforts on behalf of the community.

Or perhaps any of the 40,000 people who have received awards under our honours system, many of whom in receiving their awards personally from General Jeffery, were delighted in the fact that the Governor-General had taken the time to memorise their biographies and to make a personal comment about their achievements?

Did he talk to any of our military personnel who have received the Governor-General at bases across Australia and overseas? To any of the veterans at ANZAC Day and other commemorative services who served with General Jeffery in Vietnam, Borneo, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia?

Did he speak to anyone in Western Australia where General Jeffery served with distinction for 7 years as State Governor having been twice re-appointed?

Did he speak to any of the 4,000 special needs children and their carers who have been to Government House as a Christmas treat? Or any of the thousands of children who visit Government House during the year?

Instead it would seem he relied on Press Gallery scuttlebutt and half-baked surveys to inform his portrait of a man who has served his country for over 50 years as a decorated soldier, Governor and Governor-General, and who with his wife Marlena, are known for their charm, compassion and dedication.

His comments are disingenuous in the extreme.

Malcolm Hazell
Official Secretary to the Governor-General
Government House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: 6283 3533