Former NT politician Grant Tambling OAM honoured by hundreds at state funeral
Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to the much-loved former politician Grant Tambling at his state funeral in Darwin on Monday.
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Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to the much-loved former politician Grant Tambling at his state funeral in Darwin on Monday.
Politicians, friends, family and members of the public gathered at the Darwin Convention Centre to honour the life and legacy of Mr Tambling.
The long-time Country Liberal Party identity dedicated his life to public service, and was believed to be the first Australian to have served at all three levels of government.
His career began as an Alderman with Darwin City Council from 1972 to 1974.
He was then elected as the member for Fannie Bay in the NT Legislative Assembly from 1974 to 1977 representing the CLP.
His contributions to public life were recognised in 2011 when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to politics and the community.
Mr Tambling was remembered by his son Coryn Tambling as a caring man above all else.
“He really was a generous and thoughtful man,” he said.
“He had an amazing memory and the capacity to listen and reserve judgement.”
“He had a remarkable skill to remember people’s names … and even if there were 1000s of names, he was happy to talk with anyone and everyone.”
“Dad may have achieved a lot in his life, but he always valued his employer and dedicated staff.”
“Thank you to all of you, the people, that he truly lived to be a public servant for.”
He later recounted a Christmas Day lunch with his father and family.
“We played a game whereby you had to draw questions from a box,” he said.
“Mum drew out the question: What was the best day of your life?”
“To which Dad replied: ‘The day I married you’.”
Earlier in the service, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro praised Mr Tambling for his commitment.
“Today, we farewell a proud Territorian, a leader, a statesman and a man of deep conviction,” she said.
“His life was one of the public service, but more importantly, it was a life dedicated to making a difference, whether it was in the halls of parliament or across our vast communities.
“We celebrate a life well lived, a life of service, leadership and commitment.”
The eldest of three children, Mr Tambling was born at Wondai near Kingaroy, Queensland on June 20, 1943 and died January this year.
A student at Darwin Primary School, Darwin High School and finally Adelaide Boys’ High School, he returned to Darwin after matriculating in 1960 to study accounting before moving to Sydney for three years to join the AMP Society as an insurance sales agent.
While in Sydney he met trainee nurse Sandra McDowall, with the couple marrying in 1969.
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