The Right Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE, a figure who profoundly shaped Australia’s social justice landscape and later occupied its highest public office, has passed away at the age of 91. His legacy, a tapestry woven with threads of deep compassion, unwavering purpose, and a fierce commitment to the marginalised, is being remembered by those who knew him best. His daughter, Sarah Hollingworth, alongside family friend Samantha Burchell, has collaborated with long-time friend and former Labor minister Barry Jones to compile a heartfelt tribute, capturing the essence of Peter Hollingworth’s remarkable life.
Barry Jones, who shared a decades-long friendship with Hollingworth, expressed his deep sense of loss. “Peter was a man I knew and admired,” Jones wrote. “We were friends for decades until his recent death. I will miss him and I was touched when his daughters asked me to contribute to this piece.”
A Life Dedicated to Social Justice
From the 1970s and 1980s, Peter Hollingworth emerged as one of Australia’s most influential advocates for social justice. A clergyman by calling, he firmly believed that Christian faith was not merely an abstract doctrine but a powerful imperative for tangible action. His work was characterised by a deep-seated concern for those Australians who found themselves on the fringes of society.
Born in Adelaide on April 10, 1935, Hollingworth’s early life saw him move to Melbourne with his parents and brother, Roger, in 1942 during the tumultuous years of World War II. A period of national service in the RAAF at Point Cook in the 1950s proved to be a turning point. Despite his own description of himself as something of a “rascal” at the time, an assignment to the Padre’s office ignited a profound interest in theology, leading him to pursue a path into the priesthood. He studied at Trinity College at the University of Melbourne, graduating with a Bachelor of Theology in 1960 before his ordination as an Anglican priest.
In 1960, he married Kathleen Ann Turner, a Melbourne physiotherapist. The family ties were further strengthened when his brother, Roger, married Ann’s sister, Susan. Ann and Peter shared 61 years of marriage until her passing in 2021. Together, they raised three daughters, Deborah, Fiona, and Sarah, and were blessed with seven grandchildren. Ann was a steadfast pillar of support throughout Peter’s life. Poignantly, Peter died on May 19, the very day that would have marked Ann’s 90th birthday.
The demands of public life never eclipsed his family. In 1987, Peter was recognised as Victorian Father of the Year, an award his daughters noted reflected the consistent warmth and attentiveness they experienced throughout their lives.
The Brotherhood of St Laurence: A Foundation for Advocacy
A significant chapter of Hollingworth’s career began in 1964 when he joined the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Initially serving as chaplain and director of Fitzroy services for families, youth, and the aged, he spent over two decades with the organisation, eventually becoming its executive director. The Brotherhood, founded by Father Gerard Kennedy Tucker during the Great Depression, had already established itself as a leading welfare organisation in Victoria.
Under Hollingworth’s leadership, the Brotherhood became a powerful force in shaping the national discourse on critical issues such as poverty, unemployment, housing, and inequality. At a time when poverty was often viewed as a personal failing, Hollingworth forcefully argued that social disadvantage was a product of systemic inequality, demanding collective and structural solutions. The Brotherhood actively developed employment programs, championed housing advocacy, and provided vital support to vulnerable families, all while persistently challenging governments to adopt more ambitious approaches to social welfare.
His extensive writings on social policy and ethics became seminal texts. Works like Australians in Poverty (first published in 1979 and for several years a VCE reading list staple) and The Powerless Poor (published in 1972 to highlight the need for reform ahead of a federal election) were essential reading for students, clergy, and community workers alike.
Barry Jones recalled a personal connection through his mother, who worked in the Brotherhood’s salvage division alongside Hazel Hawke. “It was during his years at the Brotherhood that Peter came to know my mother,” Jones shared. “When my mother died in 1983, Peter immediately offered to conduct the funeral service. In later years, whenever we met, he would always speak warmly of my mother and the influence she had had on him. That was very characteristic of Peter: he remembered people carefully and valued them deeply.”
Hollingworth’s commitment extended to addressing homelessness. During the United Nations’ International Year of Shelter for the Homeless in 1987, his work significantly heightened national awareness of inadequate housing, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities. Long before these issues became mainstream concerns, he recognised the profound damage caused by insecurity and neglect, helping to establish programs that continue to operate across Australia.
He was unafraid to confront governments directly when his conscience dictated. In 1984, a widely discussed public letter in The Age during Prime Minister Hawke’s tenure criticised Australia’s insufficient response to child poverty and disadvantage. Hollingworth’s approach was a masterful blend of civility and unwavering moral conviction, always prepared to speak plainly when necessary.
Ascending the Ranks of the Church and Public Life
In 1985, Peter Hollingworth was appointed bishop of the Inner City of Melbourne, a diocese grappling with significant hardship and the complex social problems arising from entrenched disadvantage. His tenure there further solidified his reputation as a compassionate leader deeply engaged with the realities of those most in need.
His influence grew when, in 1989, he was appointed Archbishop of Brisbane, a role he held until 2001. This period of significant service was recognised in 1991 when he was named Australian of the Year, acknowledging his substantial contributions to social welfare and public life.
Hollingworth’s engagement in civic life was lifelong. He participated in the 1998 Constitutional Convention on the Republic. Barry Jones, who served as deputy chair of the convention, recalled robust discussions with Hollingworth, including a notable exchange regarding the inclusion of “under gods” in a preamble to the Constitution. “And, while we disagreed, it was never personal,” Jones noted.
Governor-General: A Role of High Office
In 2001, Prime Minister John Howard appointed Peter Hollingworth as Governor-General. While some viewed this as a departure from the convention of separating church and state, historical precedents existed, such as Sir Douglas Nicholls in South Australia and the Reverend Davis McCaughey in Victoria.
McCaughey, whom Jones knew well, was a man of “extraordinary sensitivity and insight.” Having trained in theology and served with the World Council of Churches, McCaughey came to Australia in 1953 and later became master of Ormond College at the University of Melbourne. Hollingworth sought his counsel on navigating the intersection of his religious vocation and constitutional responsibilities. He also consulted with Sir Ninian Stephen, another former Governor-General renowned for his wisdom.
Hollingworth approached the office of Governor-General with immense seriousness and his own distinct vision. A particularly striking attribute was his profound respect for the Australian honours system and the achievements of others. He possessed an exceptional ability to absorb intricate details about individuals’ lives and contributions. At investitures, he would speak without notes, offering genuine acknowledgements of significant contributions and the nuances of people’s roles. This was never a perfunctory exercise; he deeply valued recognising service and achievement.
The Shadow of Controversy
However, the latter part of Hollingworth’s public life was inevitably overshadowed by significant failures. While serving as Archbishop of Brisbane, he made a critical error in judgement regarding the consequences of child sexual abuse within the church. The ensuing public outcry was profound and deeply damaging to the church and its community, ultimately leading to his resignation as Governor-General in 2003.
Any equitable assessment of Peter Hollingworth’s life must acknowledge these failures and the immense pain experienced by survivors. In his later years, he engaged in deep reflection on the decisions made during his time as Archbishop of Brisbane. He openly acknowledged, “I’ve lived with my failures every day since,” and offered multiple apologies.
Barry Jones posited that one of Hollingworth’s greatest flaws was intrinsically linked to one of his defining qualities: his profound trust in people and his inclination to give them the benefit of the doubt. He possessed a “nobility of spirit and a genuine generosity towards others.” While these qualities served him well in many aspects of his life, they proved “gravely inadequate” when confronting misconduct within the church.
Following his departure from public office, Hollingworth formally relinquished the ceremonial vestments and symbols of episcopal office in a moving service at St George’s Anglican Church in Malvern, an act undertaken with dignity and humility.
A Legacy of Complexity and Contradiction
In retirement, Peter Hollingworth remained intellectually engaged and deeply connected to the world. Only days before his passing, he had been in touch with Barry Jones, inquiring about the possibility of him writing another book. They were planning to meet, but the news of his death intervened.
Peter Hollingworth’s life defies easy judgement or simplistic summarisation. It encompassed both extraordinary achievements and significant failures. He was a person of profound personal integrity and sincerity, yet, like all individuals, he was flawed. A serious error of judgement in public life, as he experienced, can lead to tragic consequences.
Nevertheless, it is hoped that, in time, he will be remembered not solely for his stumbles, but as a dedicated priest and social reformer who devoted decades of his life to confronting poverty, exclusion, and injustice. His work undoubtedly played a role in shaping a more compassionate Australian conscience, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s social fabric.
