Zelman Cowen remembered

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Tags: Obituaries, winter-2012

Sir Zelman Cowen (centre) pictured as Governor-General in 1981

The University of Queensland joined with the wider Australian community to honour the late former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emeritus the Right Honourable Sir Zelman Cowen, who died in December aged 92.

Sir Zelman commenced as the University’s Vice-Chancellor in 1970, and was appointed Australia’s 19th Governor-General by Malcolm Fraser in July, 1977.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Sir Zelman was “one of our greatest statesmen”.

Born in Melbourne in 1919, Sir Zelman attended Scotch College and Melbourne University, later travelling to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

Prior to taking up duty at UQ, Sir Zelman was the Dean of Law at Melbourne University and afterwards served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of New England.

Sir Zelman was considered as one of the nation’s most eminent legal thinkers, particularly in the field of conflict of laws. He was also a prominent voice in the Australian Jewish community.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Debbie Terry said Sir Zelman was one of the leading constitutional lawyers of his era, and had made a deep impact on the University during his tenure.

His deep intellect was a valuable asset in helping position the University strongly for the future, and his humanity was a powerful force in helping heal the nation in his subsequent role as Governor-General.

The Zelman Cowen Building opened in 1976 at St Lucia, and houses the shools architecture and music

“Sir Zelman was a strong advocate of free speech, and supported the right of students to protest the 1971 Springbok tour and th

e actions of the then Bjelke-Petersen government,” Professor Terry said.

“He will be strongly missed.”

During Sir Zelman’s period of office at UQ, 17 new buildings were completed, including the iconic Mayne Hall, now known as the James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre.

The UQ Music building is named after Sir Zelman to honour his significant contributions to the arts. He also oversaw the establishment of a Department of Fine Arts, the provision of a performance room within the music department, and the development of Mayne Hall as a concert venue.

Later in his life, Sir Zelman was affected by Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his wife Lady Cowen, four children, 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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