His Excellency Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith

CITIATION
Award of Doctor of Laws honoris causa
His Excellency Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith

Mr Chancellor,

It has pleased the Senate, on this occasion, to approve the conferring of degrees honoris causa on ten distinguished candidates. Of these candidates, the first is the official visitor to the University, His Excellency Sir Henry Abel Smith, Governor of Queensland.

After a distinguished career as a soldier, in which he rose to the rank of colonel in the corps of household cavalry, Sir Henry Abel Smith came to Queensland as its Governor in 1958. During the two years he has held this high office Sir Henry has won the respect and affection of all sections of the community.

He has travelled the length and breadth of this vast state by means of every conveyance known to man, and has made friends with Queenslanders from every walk of life. Agriculture, commerce, industry, education, sport have all engaged his attention, and all have benefited from the lively interest he has shown in them.

Sir Henry Abel Smith has in the fullest sense been an outstanding representative of her majesty. The personal warmth of his contacts, his deep understanding of human nature, the infinate care he devotes to his work as Governor, represent an expression at the highest level of the true democratic principles of the commonwealth of nations.

As one would expect in such a humanist, Sir Henry has a deep and abiding interest in the educational problems of our state. In particular, this university has reason to be grateful to Sir Henry for his generous conception of the duties of official visitor. In this capacity he has always done more than strict duty required. and has always enjoyed doing so. We shall never have an official visitor who is prepared to take a keener interest in our welfare or who shows more concern for the good name and standing of our university.

We are indeed proud to admit him to that distinguished band of honorary graduands.

Mr Chancellor, I present to you His Excellency Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith, Knight Commander of The Royal Victorian Order, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Governor of Queensland, for admission to the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

Honorary award citation

Awards

Doctor of Laws honoris causa
1960