A State Funeral for the Honourable William (Bill) George Hayden AC will take place at 11.00 am (QLD time) on Friday, 3 November 2023 at St Mary’s Church, Elizabeth Street, Ipswich, Queensland.
Mr Hayden served as Australia’s 21st Governor-General from 1989 to 1996. In 1989, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.
In 1961, Mr Hayden was elected to the House of Representatives as the Federal Member for Oxley, Queensland. He was appointed a Cabinet Minister in the Whitlam Government in 1972 as Minister for Social Security and then Treasurer in 1975. Mr Hayden served as Leader of the Federal Opposition from 1977 to 1983 and then Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Hawke Government from 1983, adding the Trade portfolio in 1987, until he concluded his parliamentary service in 1988.
Details regarding attendance at the service and livestreaming can be found on the Department's website.
As a mark of mourning and respect, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast all day on Friday, 3 November 2023 from all buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies. Other organisations are welcome to participate.
- When flying the Australian National Flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast.
- If a set of flags includes the flags of other nations, it would be appropriate to seek permission from the diplomatic representatives of that nation to half-mast their flag.
- An acceptable half-mast position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole.
- Information on flag protocol is available on the Department's website.
Your assistance is appreciated.
Commonwealth Flag Officer