Meet our Alumni

A highly respected politician, The Hon Sir Rupert Hamer was one of Victoria's longest serving Premiers. Hamer graduated in law from The University of Melbourne, where he won the Supreme Court Prize.

During the Second World War he served with the Australian Infantry in the Middle East, New Guinea and France, attaining the rank of Major and receiving mention in despatches. He then became a Partner in his family's law firm and began his involvement in the Liberal Party.

In 1958 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council, where he served for 13 years before being elected to the Legislative Assembly. Hamer was Minister for Local Government, Chief Secretary and then Deputy Premier.

In 1972 he became Premier after succeeding Henry Bolte as leader of the Liberal Party. He was to serve as Premier for nine years, during which time he strengthened environment protection laws and abolished the death penalty.

Regarded as a gentleman politician, he was respected by Members of all political persuasions. Barry Jones, who had been Federal Labor President, later described him as "the finest flower in the Victorian Deakinite tradition".  After retiring from politics in 1981 Hamer served as President of the Victorian College of the Arts and Chairman of the Victorian State Opera.

Hamer was honoured with the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George in 1981. He later received the Companion of the Order of Australia for service to the arts and the Centenary Medal.