Former University of Queensland Chancellor (1977-85) and Queensland Governor (1985-92) Sir Walter Campbell, AC, died aged 83 on September 4 after a short illness.
Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards, AC, and Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC, extend their condolences to Lady Campbell and other members of Sir Walter’s family on behalf of the University community.
A State funeral will be held at St John's Cathedral, Ann Street, Brisbane at 1.30pm on Monday, September 13.
Born in 1921, Sir Walter attended Downlands College, Toowoomba before enrolling at The University of Queensland in 1940. He interrupted his studies to serve as a RAAF pilot during the Second World War from 1941 to 1946, then re-enrolled in the then five-year arts-law degree to graduate Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and Master of Arts.
As a student, he was a University A-grade football forward, president of the Law Students’ Society, leader of the University debating team, editor of Semper Floreat and winner of the Virgil Power prize for topping the final two years of the law course.
As a graduate, he maintained his University connections as a part-time lecturer and a member of the Law Faculty Board. He served on the University Senate for more than two decades (1963-85), including nine years as Chancellor, and was University Visitor during his term as Governor.
His career in the law included admission to the Bar (1948) and appointments as Queen’s Counsel (1960), a judge of the Supreme Court (1967) and Queensland’s Chief Justice (1982-85). He also chaired the Queensland Law Reform Commission (1969-73) and the Commonwealth’s Remuneration Tribunal (1974-82).
He was knighted in 1979 and held honorary degrees from The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, James Cook University and Griffith University.
In 1992 the University marked Sir Walter’s long and distinguished association with his alma mater by commissioning the sculpting of a bronze bust now located in the Executive Meeting Room of the Brian Wilson Chancellery on the St Lucia campus.
Sir Walter was, in essence, a man of the people, according to close friend Dr Ivor Cribb, AM, foundation Warden of International House from 1965-86 and Deputy Chancellor of the University from 1985-92.
The two met when they enrolled for the same course in 1940, and remained friends ever after. Both interrupted their studies to go to war, re-enrolled, led active student lives (Dr Cribb was President of the Student Union), and maintained close ties with each other and with their University while building successful careers.
“Wally was an extremely talented man who was great fun to be with and who got on easily with everyone, in all walks of life,” Dr Cribb said.
“When he was on parade, he was on parade, and that’s what made him so effective in the law, as a University Senator and Chancellor, and as Governor.
“But when he was off parade, he was just one of the crowd. He was the life and soul of the party when we were at University, and he kept that zest and energy all his life.
“We went deep sea fishing together and played lots of golf. When he was Governor, he liked to play tennis at 7am and then have a swim — but while I’d just sprint for a couple of laps, he’d go on and on, doing innumerable lengths.
“He might have slowed down physically a bit lately — but he never lost his sense of humour, his keen mind or his knack for a quick response.”
For more information, contact Moya Pennell at UQ Communications (telephone 3365 2846, email m.pennell@uq.edu.au).
