I am so sorry that Denis has gone.  We had emailed at various times over the last year and had planned to catch up on our next visit to the UK.  We had not met Bridget but had planned to rectify that situation when we were allowed to travel again.

Denis was the epitome of a good and noble public servant:  he rose through the Commonwealth Public Service and was respected by his bosses (especially Sir Peter Lawler), peers and juniors alike.  He was fair, kind and thoughtful.  He was also reliable which is why he worked in such senior and sensitive positions.  The job didn't finish at 4.51 pm:  he continued to show a keen interest in his work long after retirement - even lodging submissions with parliamentary inquiries when he could have been playing golf!

He gave the proverbial frank and fearless advice that we all yearn for nowadays.  He never shirked responsibility, no matter how hard the message being delivered may have been.

It was his laconic sense of humour, though, that I enjoyed.  His choice of sporting (AFL) team was rubbish and we enjoyed much banter on Monday mornings.  He and Dolores bought a Chrysler P76 which caused no end of trouble - leading us to dub it a P38.  It was truly a lemon but Denis' good humour got him through that.

Denis' love of family was a delight to watch.  Siobhan was the apple of his eye.  But family was involved with work and we were always invited over to Swinger Hill.  The best of times was always Boxing Day with a veritable feast - which none of us needed but which we all enjoyed!  Denis and Dolores sense of community meant that they were always supporting waifs of one description or another.  They opened their home to colleagues who had no family in Canberra, ensuring that everyone was loved and felt wanted.  

The world is a better place for Denis Lenihan.  I will miss him.

Anne Cahill Lambert, AM

Canberrra