Brian Murray (governor)

Rear Admiral Sir Brian Stewart Murray, KCMG, AO (26 December 1921 – 4 June 1991) was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy and the 22nd Governor of Victoria, serving from March 1982 until October 1985.


Sir Brian Murray

KCMG, AO
22nd Governor of Victoria
In office
1 March 1982  3 October 1985
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded bySir Henry Winneke
Succeeded byDavis McCaughey
Personal details
Born(1921-12-26)26 December 1921
Glen Huntly, Victoria
Died4 June 1991(1991-06-04) (aged 69)
Murrumbateman, New South Wales
NationalityAustralian
Spouse(s)Elizabeth Malcolmson
Janette Murray
Civilian awardsKnight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Military service
AllegianceAustralia
Branch/serviceRoyal Australian Navy
Years of service1939–1978
RankRear Admiral
CommandsDeputy Chief of Naval Staff (1975–78)
HMAS Sydney (1970)
HMAS Supply (1967)
HMAS Parramatta (1963)
HMAS Queenborough (1961–62)
HMAS Condamine (1954–55)
Battles/warsSecond World War
Korean War
Vietnam War
Military awardsOfficer of the Order of Australia
Mentioned in Despatches

Governor of Victoria

At the time of his appointment as governor, Murray was a retired Royal Australian Navy admiral married to a former nun. He was nominated by the Liberal Premier Lindsay Thompson. Labor Premier John Cain demanded his resignation in 1985 after Murray accepted a free trip to the United States with his wife from Continental Airlines. They retired to the Doonkuna Estate vineyard at Murrumbateman, outside of Canberra.[1]

Flag of the Governor of Victoria

During Murray's term of office, a Labor government was elected in Victoria for the first time since 1955. Accordingly, there were some changes to the role, ceremonial and functions within Government House, Melbourne during his incumbency. The new government discontinued recommending Imperial honours. On 18 April 1984, the governor announced that Queen Elizabeth II had approved a change in his flag:

From this day, the Governor's Personal Standard will be the State Flag of Victoria with the blue of the flag being replaced by gold. The new Standard will be flown at Government House and on vehicles conveying the Governor. The old Standard used by all Victorian Governors has been, since 1870, the Union Jack with the Badge of the State emblazoned in the centre thereof.[2]

Death

When Murray died of cancer in 1991 he was accorded the honour of a state funeral by the State of Victoria, complete with Royal Australian Navy escort, full naval honours and a eulogy by his friend Admiral Sir Anthony Synnot.[3]

References

  1. Murphy, Damien (14 August 2004). "His Excellency regrets". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
  2. "Governor's Standard" (Press release). Governor of Victoria. 18 April 1984. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
  3. State Funeral for Sir Brian Murray Archived 21 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Navy News, Volume 34, Number 13, 5 July 1991.
Military offices
Preceded by
Rear Admiral Geoffrey Gladstone
Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
1975–1978
Succeeded by
Rear Admiral Neil McDonald
Government offices
Preceded by
Sir Henry Winneke
Governor of Victoria
1982–1985
Succeeded by
Davis McCaughey
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