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Obituaries

Sir Ninian Stephen at the launch of his biography, 2007.

Governor-general with wisdom, diplomacy and charm

No one in Australia's history has been as honoured as Sir Ninian Stephen – he was awarded no fewer than five knighthoods in his lifetime. Nor has anyone managed to achieve so much with such modesty and ease.

Principal and poet was a champion of justice

Peter Gebhardt, school principal, then County Court judge.

Peter Gebhardt became a County Court judge after an outstanding career as a school principal. During his 10 years on the bench he brought to his judgments a compassion that mirrored his care for students.

In Passing

In Passing

Iona Opie, who has died aged 94, was, with her husband Peter, one of the world's greatest experts on the folklore, games and beliefs of childhood; the Opies' study of children's culture, The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren (1959), described "the greatest of savage tribes – the worldwide fraternity of children" – a society that few people until then understood or even realised existed. The Opies began their quest out of curiosity about the origins of nursery rhymes. Shortly after they got married in 1943, they saw a ladybird during a walk in the countryside. Recalling the rhyme "Ladybird, Ladybird, fly away home", they wondered where it had originated and discovered that the only available anthology of nursery rhymes had been published in 1842. "Ladybird, Ladybird", for example, is known in some form more or less everywhere – including China. Humpty Dumpty is "Boule Boule" in France, "Lille Trille" in Denmark and "Humpelken Pumpelken" in Germany.

In Passing

In Passing

Danielle Darrieux, who has died aged 100, was the quintessentially Gallic screen queen of the 1930s and 1940s and with roles in more than 85 films inspired the distinctive chic and elegant look of several generations of French actresses. She could claim to have been France's first celluloid sex symbol, if not the precursor to the "sex kitten" Brigitte Bardot. "Fifty million Frenchmen can't be wrong!" trumpeted the posters for her debut Hollywood film in 1938. Long before Bardot, nearly 20 years her junior, styled herself BB, Danielle Darrieux had become known throughout France by her initials DD. "For 40 years she has represented to many the ideal French woman," noted the British film historian David Shipman in 1972. In fact her career lasted more than double that, one of the lengthiest in film history.

Much-loved matriarch enjoyed many talents

With red hair and a vivacious beauty: a portrait of Moira Peters.

Moira Peters made her mark through the unfailing interest and wise advice and encouragement she gave to family, friends and many others who filled her life.

Special baby faced challenges with a smile

Michael "Micky" Ashford

Michael "Micky" Ashford was a surprise baby, and became a special one. Micky rose to meet a number of challenges and he paved the way in highlighting the abuse of people with intellectual disabilities.

Champion of Afghan women's rights

Sima Wali at the start of the UN organised talks on Afghanistan in Bonn, Germany, 2001.

Wali wrote of Afghan women: "During this entire time I carried with me their pleading voices and ultimately their screams, while the world looked away."

One of the finest marine artists of the 20th century

Oswald Brett, marine artist.

Oswald Longfield Brett spent much time sketching ships in Sydney Harbour and imagining the day when he could go to sea. He also drew inspiration for painting from his mother Estelle Brett (nee Mutton), a talented amateur portrait and landscape artist. Both Estelle and Oswald's sister Judith encouraged him with his painting even later in his life. Os, as he was affectionately called by his friends, knew at an early age that he would be a professional artist concentrating entirely on ships and the sea.

Psychologist made a visit to the dentist less painful

Dr Evelyn Howe graduated as Sydney's first female dental PhD in 1985.

If you have ever been relieved your dental visit was more pleasant than expected, you might have Evelyn Howe to thank. Evelyn, born a Presbyterian minister's daughter, became a clinical psychologist, dental psychology pioneer and the first woman to earn a dental PhD in Sydney. Howe shined bright with wit, humour and kindness, but perhaps it's her serious work that will enlighten the future most. 

Teenager risked his life to resist the Nazis

Jacques Adler in July 1942, soon after the introduction of the compulsory wearing of the ‘‘Yellow Star’’.

As an adolescent Jacques Adler made choices that defeated most adults. Faced with the Nazi occupation of Paris and the persecution of the Jewish community, he chose to resist.

In Passing

In Passing

Michel Jouvet, who has died aged 91, was one of the first researchers to describe rapid eye movement sleep, the crucial stage when the brain dreams and processes experiences. Jouvet, working in the early 1960s at the University Claude Bernard in Lyon, mapped out the brain structures that generate REM. He compared the discovery of REM sleep to finding "a new continent in the brain". REM sleep is found in all warm-blooded mammals and birds. Jouvet discovered it initially in cats, and later studied penguins, which stay awake for long periods during the breeding season. He implanted an expensive radio-telemetry chip in an emperor penguin in Antarctica, but the valuable research subject was released into the sea and eaten by a killer whale.

Scholar brought the ancient world to life

Antonio Sagona, professor of archaeology at Melbourne University.

The death of Tony Sagona has deprived the field of near-eastern archaeology in general, and the University of Melbourne in particular, of a most distinguished scholar and a fine man.

Pharmacist dedicated his life to his community

Douglas McColl, pharmacist and leader of the Warracknabeal community.

Doug McColl returned to Warracknabeal in 1949 after training as a pharmacist in Melbourne. He spent the rest of his life serving his local community in countless ways.

Admired leader in medical education

Christine McMenamin, leader of the medical training program at Monash University.

Despite her own health problems, Christine McMenamin had a stellar rise as a research scientist, doctor and then leader of Monash University's medical training program.

Visionary leader into the computer age

Peter Poole, professor of computing and pioneer of online communications.

Peter Poole met his first computer in Sydney University's School of Physics in 1957. His lifelong passion for computer science began.

Cherie Blair's dad and 'scouse git' son-in-law of Alf Garnet

 Cherie Booth with father Tony Booth after receiving an honorary fellowship, Liverpool, 1997.

Tony Booth, the actor, who has died aged 85, was best known as the abrasive "Scouse git" of a son-in-law who got under Alf Garnett's skin in the BBC comedy series Till Death Us Do Part; in later life he sometimes performed the same function for his real-life son-in-law, the former prime minister Tony Blair.

Quiet life of service followed moment of fame

Graham Carbery, gay archivist and VFL umpire involved in headbutting incident with Phil Carman.

Umpire Graham Carbery was the victim of one of football's most notorious incidents, but away from the headlines he lived a quiet life documenting the history of Australia's gay movements.

Inspiring trailblazer for women in law

Justice Rosemary Balmford at the 2008 unveiling of her court portrait by Yvette Coppersmith.

Rosemary Balmford, the first woman appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria, was an inspirational role model for women in the legal profession.