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.

Rear Admiral Sir Brian Murray KCMG, AO
22nd Governor of Victoria
In office 1 March 1982 – 3 October 1985
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Preceded by	Sir Henry Winneke
Succeeded by	Davis McCaughey
Personal details
Born	26 December 1921 Glen Huntly, Victoria
Died	4 June 1991 (aged 69) Murrumbateman, New South Wales
Nationality	Australian
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Malcolmson Janette Murray
Civilian awards	Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Royal Australian Navy
Years of service	1939–1978
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands	Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (1975–78) HMAS Sydney (1970) HMAS Supply (1967) HMAS Parramatta (1963) HMAS Queenborough (1961–62) HMAS Condamine (1954–55)
Battles/wars	Second World War Korean War Vietnam War
Military awards	Officer 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.

External links

• RAN Admirals: Sir Brian Stewart Murray (Royal Australian Navy)