LESLIE ADRIAN (LES) ROWE March 3, 1945-February 28, 2022

Les Rowe already stood out at Melbourne High School (1959-1962) where he was an extremely gifted student, athlete, actor and debater and went on to become the school captain and senior prefect in 1962. When the principal, former Australian cricket captain Bill Woodfull retired, Les spoke at a special retirement event on behalf of the students.

Les studied history at Melbourne University, gaining an honours degree while also taking an active part in student theatre and producing a play in Pentridge prison. Les became a partner of the artist Michael Shannon in 1967 and was later a partner of Neil Ewart, remaining together for the last 38 years of Les’ life.

After university, Les spent two years of national service with the Australian Army as a sergeant instructor in Papua New Guinea where he helped prepare emerging defence personnel for independence. The Melanesian Pacific became an enduring passion.

In 1971, Les joined the Department of External Affairs where he was regarded as genial, witty and good company. Gareth Evans, a distinguished former minister for foreign affairs, and school captain at Melbourne High School the year before Les, described him as “memorably elegant, urbane, cultured and mellifluous. And, so, with the man he became – in many ways the diplomat from central casting. Les’ style, captivating as it was, never outshone the substance. He was an outstanding professional, serving his country with rare intelligence, wit and judgment. Qualities never in oversupply, and sorely needed now”.

Les served as a diplomat overseas first in Ghana, followed by a posting to Lisbon. He then became charge d’affaires in Beirut at a time of crisis when Lebanon had descended into civil war. Les remained in Lebanon when most Australian staff had been evacuated. He and his very small team were in serious physical danger. Les went on to join the Commonwealth Observer Group in Zimbabwe monitoring the transition to majority rule in 1980. His love of Africa and Africans stayed with him.

In Canberra, Les was private secretary to Andrew Peacock when Peacock was foreign minister (1975-1980). Later, Les became senior private secretary or chief of staff – to Bill Hayden when Hayden was foreign minister (1986-88). Few have inspired such a high level of professional confidence and trust across the political divide to be accepted that way. And those who have, have always been among Australia’s very best.

He had four years as political counsellor in the Australian mission to the United Nations in New York in the 1980s where he had a front-seat role in helping protect Australia’s interests in preserving the Antarctic Treaty system. Australia’s vital interest in the Antarctic was then under challenge by Malaysia’s prime minister Mahathir. He was also involved in the decolonisation and potential independence process for New Caledonia and also worked on the independence of Namibia from South African control through Australia’s membership of the UN Council for Namibia.

While in New York Les engaged also with the problems of East Timor. He came to know many of those who became leaders of independent East Timor. His experience with New Caledonia led to him becoming consul-general in Noumea for three years in the 1990s. His familiarity with East Timor was reflected in his role as deputy ambassador in Jakarta – a vital role in Australia’s biggest embassy – from 1999 to 2001.