Queensland’s Mr Expo Sir Llew Edwards farewelled at state funeral

Sir Llew Edwards, who helped put Brisbane on the map with Expo 88, has been farewelled at a state funeral, with family, friends and political identities paying tribute to his life and legacy.

Family, friends and a long list of political identities gathered in Brisbane to farewell Sir Llew Edwards. File picture: David Kelly

Queensland legend Sir Llew Edwards, fondly known as Mr Expo, has been farewelled in a moving state funeral recognising his extraordinary life of public service.

Dignitaries, including a long list of former premiers, and grieving family and friends attended St John’s Cathedral to honour the gracious visionary and political heavyweight credited with changing the face of Brisbane.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison described Sir Llew as an Australian great and an early mentor with unforgettable “warmth and unrivalled insights”, while Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the former leader of the Liberal Party took a “decent and dignified approach to governing”.

Wife Lady Jane Edwards at the state funeral for Sir Llew Edwards at St John’s Cathedral.

Former Lord Mayor Graham Quirk led the tributes, describing his friend as an “absolute gentleman” who was quiet by nature but so determined he could become “an immovable object”.

While Sir Llew – who died at age 85 after a battle with dementia – was best known for his role as chairman of World Expo 88, he was also a doctor who carved a distinguished political career, including being deputy premier and treasurer of Queensland.

He also proudly served as Chancellor of The University of Queensland for 16 years.

Son David Edwards said his father lived by the values of honesty, loyalty and integrity.

Leaving Ipswich Grammar School at 15 to dutifully become an electrician to help in the family’s electrical business, RT Edwards, Sir Llew decided to studying medicine after a workplace accident that left him hospitalised for 18 months.

It was while recovering and learning to walk again, that he not only found his medical calling, but also his first wife, nurse Leone Burley.

The couple had three children, including Mark and Louise, but Leonie tragically passed away suddenly in early 1988.

A crowd gathers for the state funeral of Sir Llew Edwards on Thursday.

While carrying out the mammoth task of chairing Expo 88, Sir Llew met PR dynamo Jane Brumfield, who was managing communications for the landmark event. Mutual admiration turned to love and the pair married in 1989.

Speaking on behalf of Lady Jane, friend Hilarie Dunn said Sir Llew was “outstanding at the romantic gesture” and sent his bride-to-be 1000 white roses on the big day.

“Theirs was a great love story,” Ms Dunn said.

“As Llew’s health began to decline, I watched the quality of that love shift and grow.

“While there was always the most amazing mutual support and caring, there came a new tenderness and compassion.

“These last couple of years, letting go of Llew, has been the hardest thing for Jane.

“The long goodbye that comes with dementia has its toll.”

Premier Palaszczuk said Queensland was better for Sir Llew’s life and poorer for his loss.

“Even those who could claim to have matched the extent of his community service could rarely match the grace of it,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Politics can be robust, a word we sometimes use to excuse rudeness, and the era of Sir Llew’s parliamentary service, was particularly robust. He was a calm and reasonable voice in those tumultuous years, firm but placid amid the noise and haste.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland was better for Sir Llew’s life and poorer for his loss.

She said it was surely the mark of the best representatives that party loyalty was balanced with conscience and courage, and a “mature understanding of when bipartisanship is appropriate and necessary”.

Prime Minister Morrison said Sir Llew would leave a legacy that would benefit generations to come.

“To the people of Australia, he was one of the greatest,” said Mr Morrison in a letter read by MP Trevor Evans.

“I was fortunate to have Sir Llew as an early mentor and I will never forget his warmth and unrivalled insights.”

Mr Morrison said Sir Llew’s work at Expo 88 was “born out of his love for Australia and determination to give Australia the means to talk with the world”.

“He modelled the qualities of dignity and integrity.”

Former premier Campbell Newman with Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.