Death of the Honourable Mr Justice Kim Santow, AO

The Hon. GREG PEARCE [5.44 p.m.]: Tonight I acknowledge the extraordinary life and contribution of the late the Honourable Mr Justice Kim Santow, AO, honorary doctor of laws. Kim passed away on 10 April, aged 67 years. On Wednesday 23 April I attended a memorial ceremony for Kim, together with about 700 of Sydney's leading business, academic, professional, cultural and benevolent figures, at the Great Hall of the University of Sydney.

Kim was a graduate of the University of Sydney and had been chancellor of the university in one of its most testing periods. The Governor, the Honourable Marie Bashir—Kim's successor as chancellor of the university—led the farewells and honours, having confirmed Kim's honorary doctorate of laws at his bedside just a few days earlier. Kim did not seek honours, but a man of his intellect, energy and humanity could not avoid them, and they were a deserved recognition of his enormous contribution to so many aspects of society and to so many people. In my mind, Kim surpassed the true measure of the man. Those who came into contact with him have been, and future generations will be, enhanced and enriched by his life.

I had the good fortune to be nurtured and encouraged by Kim: he interviewed me many years ago for my job at Freehill Hollingdale and Page, as it then was. I will always remember the experience of waiting almost two hours to be interviewed and then meeting this giant of a man who sat across the table, said, "Hello" and slid across to me an open copy of a text on company law. He said, "I am just looking at this problem. Can you have a look at that section there and give me your opinion?" I subsequently discovered that it was not a harrowing interview technique; in fact, it was just a measure of Kim's openness, his inclusiveness, his dedication to the law and his intellect. It was also a measure of his humility.

The first major project I worked on was the refinancing of the Eraring Power Station back in the 1980s—coincidentally, in very similar circumstances to what we see now. Under the Wran Government we were facing a similar crisis to that which now faces the State. Kim led that large, complex transaction: he structured it and it was achieved for the benefit of the people of the State. In the early 1990s Freehills needed new premises and I was part of a committee that included Kim—sort of. It was an interesting insight into his fascination with property and his broad taste, but it was also a very exciting experience because we never knew when Kim might walk in the door saying that he had signed the deal. Kim was the obvious selection to go to London when the firm opened an office there. The fact that he fitted in straightaway and worked with the leading business and legal people in London was simply a measure of his stature both on the world stage and on the local stage.

Kim is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lee, who is a great friend and favourite of the Freehills alumni and the many friends and colleagues of Kim. He is survived by his three sons, including Simon Santow, who is well known to all of us through the media. Each of his three sons spoke with dignity, love and humour at their late father's memorial service. Like so many others from the law, the arts, business, the education community and charities, my life has been enriched by contact with, and the example given by, Kim Santow. We will miss him but we will never forget his huge presence.