THE life of the Honourable Gary Nairn AO was remembered, celebrated and honoured at a State Memorial service last Friday at Mulloon Institute’s Home Farm near Bungendore.

Mr Nairn, best known in the local region for holding the seat of Eden-Monaro from 1996 - 2007, and as strategic advisor for Monaro Early Intervention Services, a not-for-profit organisation helping young children with disabilities, died from cancer on June 1, aged 73.

The State Memorial was attended by family, friends, representatives of organisations and members of the public, including many residents from the Snowy Monaro.

Family, colleagues and friends spoke of a quiet, hard-working, passionate, unassuming, intelligent, caring and loving husband, father, businessman and mate – an exceptional and charitable leader, and a gentleman, who served Australia extensively in many ways including his involvement in surveying and spatial sciences, his leadership in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, sustainable agriculture and environmental re-generation practices, conservation initiatives and farming practices through the Mulloon Institute, and his service to Australia both as a Federal Member and as a Minister.

He also happened to be a rugby and cricket tragic, loved a single malt whisky from Tasmania's Lark Distillery, and, after living and working in Europe, developed a love affair with France - “smelly” cheeses, olives and champagne featuring high on his list of favourite French things.

Taking pride of place in front of the lectern as part of the floral display was Mr Nairn’s trademark Akubra hat and Officer of the Order of Australia medal.

Speaking at the service was Mr Nairn’s wife, Rose, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain MP – representing the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; colleague and friend David Hawker AO; Professor Abbas Rajabifard University of Melbourne; chair, The Duke of Edinburgh, Tom Mould AO; Mulloon Institute CEO and managing director, Carolyn Hall, and friends David White and Anne Riches.

Before being elected to Parliament, Mr Nairn was the managing director of his own surveying and mapping practice in Darwin. He entered politics as president of the Northern Territory Country Liberal Party a role he held for four years. Mr Nairn and his family eventually returned to NSW, where in 1996, he was elected as the federal member for Eden-Monaro. While serving as a parliamentarian in the Howard Government, Mr Nairn was appointed as Parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister and as Special Minister of State. He was the chair on Parliamentary Committees, including the 2003 House of Representatives Select Committee into Australian Bushfires - the 400-page report still stands as the authoritative reference on preparing for, and management of, future bushfires in Australia.

After his retirement from Parliament he was appointed chair of Mulloon Institute, national chair of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia, a director of the Biodiversity and Conservation Trust of NSW, chair of the Northern Territory Planning Commission, and chair of the University of Melbourne Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures and Land Administration (CSDILA) International Advisory Committee which comprises distinguished Australian and overseas leaders in spatial science and technologies from academia and industry.

In 2015 Mr Nairn was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, to the communities of NSW and the Northern Territory, to the surveying and spatial sciences, and to disability support groups.

In recognition of his tenure as CSDILA International Advisory Committee chair and his contribution to the centre, a leadership medal, named in Mr Nairn's honour, was launched by Professor Rajabifard at the Memorial Service.

"Gary was a visionary leader, an esteemed colleague who made a significant contribution across industry, academia and politics," professor Rajabifard said.

"He was a dignified and distinguished Statesman, who engaged with people of all walks of life, generously giving of his time and genuinely curious about the communities he served and how he could improve their situation.

"The Gary Nairn leadership medal will be awarded annually by our centre at the University of Melbourne to recognise an individual who has demonstrated leadership and excellence in the service of the spatial industry.

"The university, to further commemorate Gary's legacy, has created a special version of this leadership medal for Gary's family as a symbol of our deep gratitude and respect. This initiative we trust will go some way to recognise the significance and achievements and contributions of our beloved friend and colleague."

In her address, Mrs Nairn began by saying it was just over 12-months ago the couple was contemplating their wonderful lives together and excitedly looking forward to enjoying their newly purchased 10-acre property in the Gold Coast hinterland where they could happily pursue their love of woodwork and welding.

"We talked about growing old together. All I wanted to do was be by his side," she said.

"Gary had a brilliant mind, he had a gift and a passionate heart. How comfortable and confident he was, truly a self-made man from an early age throughout his life.

"Whatever Gary did, he did for life.

"Gary was from a classic working class family, the second youngest of four children. The family lived in a two-bedroom rented flat in Sydney.

"At school, by the age of nine Gary realised education was the key to a better future. He started setting goals, going from Kensington Public School to Sydney Boys High to university. University fees had to be paid up-front so Gary funded himself by achieving a Commonwealth Scholarship and working many jobs such as carpet cleaning, storeman and packer, picking fruit...somehow he found enough money.

"Changes in Government re-assigned Gary's priorities again. He was hungry to continually contribute and make a difference in the broader Australian scene. He was a true leader.

"Flexibility was a great asset that Gary possessed, never procrastinating, making decisions, considered and quickly. After a short down time offers started flowing in.

"Incidentally this was the time that we were married. I will never forget Gary getting down on one knee to propose marriage, then going back to watch the cricket, and I continued cooking dinner."

Mrs Nairn spoke about her husband's extensive list of achievements and his quiet and calming presence.

"What a privilege it was for me to be married to this man. Gary's was a beautiful life well-lived, with love, generosity, purpose and passion."

Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain said, Mr Nairn was a popular and respected advocate across the electorate.

"That was evident from the range of community members who commented on social media following his passing, and in true Eden-Monaro style, regardless of where people sat on the political spectrum, there was a great expression of sadness on Gary's loss.

"He was someone who stood up for what he believed in both during his political service and after it.

"He was also in that rare company of members of parliament who was respected across the political spectrum. As prime minister Albanese, who entered parliament the same year as Gary puts it, Gary's was a lifetime of decency, of service and of devotion. In the entire time the prime minister served with Gary, he said he found him nothing other than courteous, and absolutely committed to making a positive difference."

Mr Nairn is survived by wife Rose, children Ben and Deborah and six grandchildren. His first wife, Kerrie, pre-deceased him in 2005.