Thursday, 7 March 2024

Jeff Mawkes

Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Minister for Development Victoria, Minister for Precincts, Minister for Creative Industries) (10:32): I rise to mourn the passing of Mr Jeff Mawkes, who was the much-loved president of Watsonia RSL, on 11 December last year. In 1969 Jeff was called for national service and was deployed to Vietnam as a gunner in the 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Jeff was proud of his service in Vietnam, though he like many other soldiers experienced a level of post-traumatic stress disorder, something that he spoke about once he returned. When he joined the Watsonia RSL in 1972 it became a place for him to relax and unwind with people who had had the same experiences that he had had.

Before and after his service in Vietnam Jeff served the Victorian police force, which saw him work as a detective and in close personal protection of the Prime Minister, premiers and other VIPs and hold leadership roles with the riot squad and as a police negotiator and as part of the critical response team. Members of the Watsonia RSL recall how, as much as he worked hard in his early years in the police force, he certainly also played just as hard. His service as president of Watsonia RSL exemplified his strong work ethic, commitment to service and his warm and friendly nature. I feel privileged to have known him. In particular I extend on behalf of my local community deepest sympathies to Jeff’s wife Tricia, his four children, six grandchildren and many, many friends in the Watsonia RSL community.