The man who helped transform Brisbane: Sir Llew Edwards dead at 85
Sir Llew Edwards, the former businessman, Deputy Premier and chairman of Brisbane’s World Expo 88 has died after a long battle with dementia.
Sir Llew Edwards at the scene of his greatest achievement, Brisbane's World Expo 88 (image: Youtube)
Sir Llew’s wife, Lady Jane Edwards AM, released a statement to confirm his passing overnight. Sir Llew is survived by Lady Jane and two of his three children, Mark and David. His daughter Louise passed away after a battle with cancer.
“Llew was the most wonderful man and I loved him dearly,” Lady Jane wrote.
“He fought the battle with dementia as best he could but despite the disease, he was always the man I knew and loved.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told parliament Queensland had lost “another great servant of our state” who was respected by all sides of politics.
“Sir Llew had a long and distinguished partliamentary career,” Palaszczuk said of the man who for many years served as deputy to Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen in a Coalition government.
“During those often tumultuous years, he was a calm and dignified voice.”
Palaszczuk suggested Sir Llew’s defining role was as chairman of Expo 88, an event that in turn helped define modern Brisbane. She said he helped set the scene for Queensland to host events such as the 2032 Olympics.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner revealed Sir Llew’s family was at his bedside when he passed.
“He was a true Liberal and a force for great good, someone who was always willing to reach across the political divide to achieve the right outcome for Queenslanders,” Schrinner said.
“His expert stewardship of Queensland’s finances during the late 1970s and early 1980s set our state up for enormous success.”
Lady Jane said despite his busy working life, Sir Llew always made her feel like “the most important person in the world”.
“I will miss him terribly as will his children and grandchildren,” Lady Jane wrote.
Sir Llew’s son David Edwards said his father had started out as an electrician and then a doctor in Ipswich before taking on bigger responsibilities.
“No matter how busy Dad was he always had time for everyday people no matter where they were from or what they did,” Edwards said.
“He contributed in so many ways and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”
Sir Llew was knighted by HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 1984 and awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989. He served as Chancellor of the University of Queensland, where a building was named after him, and was named a Queensland Great in 2010.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
