A State Funeral for the Honourable Gerard (Gerry) Leslie Hand will take place at 1.00 pm on Wednesday, 29 November 2023 at St Ignatius’ Church, 326 Church Street, Richmond, Victoria.
In 1983, Mr Hand was elected to the House of Representatives as the Federal Member for Melbourne, Victoria. In the Hawke and Keating Governments he was appointed as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in 1987 and in 1990 Mr Hand was appointed as Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Multicultural Affairs. He concluded his Parliamentary Service in 1993.
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister, has issued a media statement on his website.
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 Wednesday, 29 November 2023 in the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria only 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