November 10, 2008

It is with great sadness that CEFA mourns the death of Professor George Winterton who has died in Sydney after a long illness. Despite his illness, he worked tirelessly for the Constitution Education Fund Australia (CEFA) as a Foundation Councillor and Trustee on the Board of Management.

Professor Winterton was a founder of CEFA's Governor-General's Undergraduate Essay Competition which held its first awards in 2004. Professor Winterton judged this competition annually with distinguished judges including those from the High Court of Australia. He also played a major role in setting the essay topics each year on constitutional, legal, historical and democracy issues relevant to the day. Under Professor Winterton's guidance the Essay Competition has blossomed so that excellent candidates now enter from every university in Australia. As well Professor Winterton has been an active leader in other CEFA awards, projects and programs. Executive Director of CEFA, Mrs Kerry Jones, also served recently with Professor Winterton on a special committee formed by the National Archives, Canberra, to look at ways to enhance the Australian Constitution including the possible establishment of an Australian Constitution Day Holiday.

Mrs Kerry Jones said earlier today "I have regarded Professor George Winterton as a valuable friend and mentor since we began working together for CEFA in 2003. He never allowed his illness to affect his enormous community support workload. He willingly gave of his time, advice and judgement on the many issues we faced in our efforts to establish a truly nonpartisan Australian national civics education body in CEFA. I will always remember George as a great leader, with incredible strength of character, honesty and personal courage. I feel sure he will continue to inspire young Australians through his story, his writings and his legacy." In the recent NSW 2008 CEFA Awards ceremony Professor George Winterton was too ill to receive his award. Mrs Ros Winterton received his award from Her Excellency Governor Marie Bashir for 'Outstanding Services to Civics Education.' In future this annual award will be given at CEFA's annual national award ceremony and be known as the "Professor George Winterton Award for Outstanding Services to Civics Education."

CEFA sends its condolences and deepest sympathy to Mrs Ros Winterton and family. George will also be sorely missed by all those colleagues, Patrons, benefactors, judges, academics, supporters, friends and students who contribute to the CEFA community.

Professor George Winterton's funeral will be at 1:00pm, Wednesday November 12th, St Francis of Assisi, Paddington, Sydney.