Justice Alan Goldberg
Welcome to the second evening in the series 'Talking History', 'Jewish Communal Leaders'. This series is conducted by the Jewish Museum of Australia, the Gandel Centre of Judaica, and the Australian Centre for the Study of Jewish Civilisation at Monash University.
This evening we come together to hear about and to celebrate the life of one of our most distinguished communal leaders in the twentieth century, Maurice Ashkanasy, QC CMG. The activities of Maurice Ashkanasy, or as he was known to many people - 'Ash', spanned 69 years. He was born on the 16th of October 1901, and he passed away on the 2nd April 1971. He was a giant in his time, and his activities spanned many aspects of public life: the law, the army, politics, and the Jewish community and the community at large.
Let me tell you a little bit about Ash's background. Ash's family immigrated to Australia when he was nine years old. He graduated in Law from Melbourne University with a Masters of Laws Degree and was admitted to the Bar in 1924 when he read with an up and coming barrister, Robert Menzies. On his death Sir Robert Menzies said of Ash that he was a man of immense energy, a good lawyer, a good citizen and a very constructive member of the Jewish community, to which, in particular, he rendered great service.
Ash married Heather Epstein on the 29th June 1927 and they had three children, Neville, Neal and Vivianne. Ash achieved great success as a barrister, taking silk in 1940, but of course his legal practice was interrupted by the Second World War. After war service during which he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel he resumed practice at the Bar and built up an enviable practice as a leader and was actively involved with the activities of the Victorian Bar.
He was an active member of the Australian Labor Party although he was never able to achieve parliamentary office. Throughout his life Ash was heavily involved in Jewish community affairs. He was a committed Zionist and a supporter of the State of Israel. In his early twenties Ash played a leading part in the formation of the Judean League, a roof body for Jewish youth, sporting and cultural groups. Ash was Foundation President of the Victorian Jewish Board of Deputies in 1947, the predecessor to the Jewish Community Council, and after the Executive Council of Australian Jewry was established in 1944 Ash become its President for five terms over the next twenty years. He was a supporter of the establishment of Mount Scopus College and over many years played a pivotal role in the structure and the activities of major Jewish communal organizations. In the edition of the Australian Jewish News which announced his passing, it was noted that 'he will be remembered as the most outstanding personality of his time in local Jewry'.
This evening we have four speakers who will offer an insight into the different aspects of the life of Maurice Ashkanasy: Sir Ninian Stephen, a colleague and later a Supreme and High Court Judge and subsequently Governor General of the Commonwealth will speak about the professional side of Ash; Israel Kipen, a well known Jewish communal identity, will speak about his community involvements; Barney Cooney, who was at the Bar the same time as Ash and later a Labor Senator, will speak about his political life; and his daughter Vivianne de Vahl Davis will speak about the personal side of Ash, Ash the man.
I would just want to make this personal observation. When I came to the bar in 1965 Ash was still in practice - and actively in practice. Everyone deferred to him and accorded him great respect. I was a very young barrister and had the privilege of listening to and working as a junior with a great orator and a great lawyer. After his widow Heather passed away I was able to acquire one of his Tanachs with his name inscribed on it. It now resides in a federal court library in Melbourne where his memory is preserved and not forgotten. After our four speakers have concluded, I will invite members of the audience to make further contributions and reflections on the life of Maurice Ashkanasy. But first, Sir Ninian Stephen.