Page 1677 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 3 May 2005
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Al Grassby was also a great advocate for the rights of this country’s very first inhabitants. It may seem astonishing in 2005 that when Al Grassby became a federal minister in the early 1970s, provisions of the Migration Act required indigenous Australians to seek the government’s permission to leave Australia. Al was outraged and ensured that the provisions were taken off the books.
Upon the passage of the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975, Al Grassby became Australia’s first Commissioner for Community Relations. His lifelong interest in activism, humanitarianism and multiculturalism was recognised and honoured in 1985 when he received the Order of Australia and again the following year when he was awarded the United Nations peace medal.
After his parliamentary career ended Al Grassby chose to make his home in Canberra, where he involved himself in a range of community causes and events, including the National Multicultural Festival. His advice, counsel and experience were called upon by many community-based multicultural organisations. Over the years he authored and co-authored a number of books, his words proving as powerful and entertaining on the page as they were in a face-to-face chat.
Al remained extremely active in the local ALP, giving his time and experience as an officer holder in the Belconnen sub-branch for many years. He became a life member of the Australian Labor Party in 1997. He supported Ellnor’s successful tilt at and time in the ACT Assembly.
Al Grassby believed in the power of persuasion, the value of debate and the excitement of ideas. Ideas, debate and persuasion in genial company over good food and wine were the ingredients that made up the Grassby lunches at the National Press Club, which were always well patronised by community leaders, politicians and diplomats, and which raised money for Al’s favourite charity, Open Family.
Al Grassby had a talent for connecting with other people. He went out of his way to connect with and make welcome all kinds of individuals regardless of culture, religion, politics or social class. Al was one of those rare individuals who could talk to anyone and make anyone feel that their opinions and views were valued. He made people feel special.
Al Grassby’s enduring legacy is a nation remarkably free of the racial anxiety and tensions that were once part of daily life. He once said that multiculturalism meant everybody—from the Anglo-Saxons to the fellow who arrived yesterday from Vietnam. And he meant it, valuing all aspects of our heritage and also seeing that heritage in all its imperfect glory.
Thousands of Canberrans will carry with them into the future a vivid image of Al decked out in one of his flamboyant ties or one of his even more flamboyant jackets. For many he embodied the brief period of high hopes and great expectations that was the Whitlam era.
For many thousands more, of all political persuasions, Al will be remembered as a champion of those who arrive on our shores seeking a better life. His legacy is
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