Region Pays Tribute To Greg Urwin

Written by Pio Sioa
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Australian delegation NZ Pacific Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban with delegation Chinese delegation led by China's new ambassador to Samoa PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi The political leadership in Forum Island member countries paid high tribute to the passing of Australian career diplomat and former Secretary General last weekend in Apia. The late Mr. Greg Urwin was described and praised in many ways by many who knew him personally and professionally. He had spent a lifetime of service in the Pacific Islands, as Australia’s High Commissioner to five island countries; Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Nauru and Tuvalu, and as deputy High Commissioner to New Zealand. His links with Samoa were stronger than anywhere else in the region, not just as the first Australian envoy but also at one time Samoa’s Secretary for Foreign Affairs. He was also married to a Samoan. The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi referred to Urwin as a person who ‘…will be sorely missed around the countries of our Pacific region…’ “Beneath Greg’s easy manner, his ready smile and great sense of humour was a sharp and steadfast intellect committed to achieving results for the Pacific region,” PM Tuilaepa wrote in his message of condolence to Penny Urwin, children and family. “In the 2004/05 period of Samoa’s chairmanship of the Pacific Island Leaders Forum, I had the privilege of working closely with Greg to advance key objective of the forum.” In 2003, Urwin was awarded the Centenary Medal for outstanding public service in advancing Australia's interests in the South Pacific, and the public service medal for outstanding contribution to the development of Australia's relations with the Pacific in 2001. His lifetime achievements in the region earned high praises from the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Stephen Smith. “I was deeply saddened to learn that Mr. Greg Urwin –who was both an outstanding Australian and a legend in the Pacific – had passed away during the weekend in Apia. “Mr. Urwin made a very significant contribution to the development of Australia’s relations with Pacific countries and to the advancement of regional cooperation in the Pacific throughout his distinguished career with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and, subsequently, as Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.” A PACNEWS report quoted a Suva-based diplomat who worked closely with the late Mr. Urwin, Papua New Guinea's High Commissioner to Fiji, Peter Eafeare, who remembers him as a diplomat that "chose to make a career out of the Pacific." "He chose to be in the Pacific when most of his peers went off to postings in North America, Europe and Asia," he said. "He is well-read and the most conscientious, sensitive and meticulous senior diplomat in our region I have had the privilege of working with during his term as Secretary General." Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, James Batley, began his diplomatic career as a third secretary in Port Vila, Vanuatu, under Mr. Urwin's leadership. "He was a great role model for a young diplomat," Mr. Batley said. "I will deeply miss his wise counsel, his company and his friendship. Greg will nevertheless continue to serve as an inspiration for those working in and for the region. "His legacy will be twofold: first, a sense of the possibilities that exist in relations between Australia and the countries of the region; and second, a vision of our region as a peaceful, prosperous and proud community of nations, working together for the common good. "Mr. Urwin has a passion for history and politics and has always read widely in both fields. This interest has stood him in good stead throughout his career, not least during his tenure as forum secretary-general when the region faced a range of difficult political challenges." When Urwin first came to Samoa to set up an Australian High Commission office, one of the first Samoans he worked closely with was his personal assistant and office driver, Alesana. The two of them traveled together the length and breadth of Apia in the course of their work and also social outings. “ He was a good man and a good friend,” Alesana recalled when he learned of his passing. “We were together from about 1972 to 1975 and he got along with everyone in the office. “He was close with people like Tupua Tamasese Efi, Albert Wendt and Neroni Slade.” Alesana has a 28-year-old son named after the late Greg Urwin and still recalls the time when the naming took place. “My wife was still recovering at the Motootua hospital when we went together to visit her. “Greg walked up to the name tag on the bed and crossed out the name ‘;Baby’ and put in his name. ‘He then organized for a party the next day with the doctors at their Common Room to celebrate.” Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Name Email Title Comment

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