Former senior Queensland public servant Sir Leo Hielscher has died at 98.
Sir Leo had a distinguished career in government, banking, and finance, which spanned more than seven decades.
He has been recognised as one of the key figures responsible for transforming the state’s economy, and is credited with the financing, development and building of many major infrastructure projects, including the first Gateway Bridge.
He was also instrumental in Queensland’s success in holding the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the 1988 World Expo.
Sir Leo’s daughter Kerri Phipps said “the wonderful family man” would be missed. (Supplied: Kerri Phipps)
He died on Monday in palliative care, with his family by his side.
His daughter, Kerri Phipps, said he left a lasting legacy and would be “sorely missed”.
“He’s such an icon, and he’s a wonderful man, a wonderful family man … he loved his family, he loved his grandchildren immensely,” Ms Phipps said.
“He just achieved so much … he worked hard, but he was always there for us.”Seven decades of public service
Born on the Sunshine Coast in 1926, at the start of the Great Depression, Sir Leo entered the public service in the state government’s insurance office in 1942 at 15.
When he was 18, he enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force, serving in Australia, Borneo and, at the end of the war, in Japan with the occupation forces.
After returning to Australia, Sir Leo rose through the ranks of the departments of the auditor-general and education before being seconded to Treasury, at a time when the Queensland economy was, in his view, in poor shape.
He served as the state’s under treasurer from 1974 to 1988 before taking up the role of chair of the Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC) in June 2010 — a role he would ultimately retire from at 83.
Loading…’Would never ruffle any feathers that didn’t need ruffling’
During his career, Sir Leo reported to a succession of 10 premiers and 15 treasurers.
In 2010, on the occasion of his retirement, the Queensland government announced it would re-name Brisbane’s Gateway bridges in his honour.
Both sides of politics paid tribute to him at the time, with then-premier Anna Bligh saying the 83-year-old would be missed.
“I can say it was with some reluctance that the treasurer and I accepted Sir Leo Hielscher’s decision, but if anyone deserves retirement, I think it’s Sir Leo,” Ms Bligh said.
“It’s hard to think of anyone who has worked as tirelessly as Sir Leo has for the benefit of Queensland.”
Leo Hielscher speaks to the media in 2010. (ABC News)
Then-opposition leader John-Paul Langbroek also paid tribute to Sir Leo’s impartiality over a long career.
“It’s a credit to Sir Leo that of course he’s not been politicised, and there’s never been any question about whether he’s been politicised,” he said.
“He really has provided frank and fearless advice to both sides.”
Ms Phipps agreed he had always been impartial.
“He was always very diplomatic, and would never ruffle any of the feathers that didn’t need ruffling,” Ms Phipps said.
“He respected whoever was in … he just wanted to do the best he could for Queensland,” she said.
Leo Hielscher has been celebrated by both sides of politics. (ABC News)
‘Towers over Queensland history’
Treasurer David Janetzki on Monday paid tribute to Sir Leo, describing him as someone who “tower[ed] over Queensland history like no-one else”.
“His legacy is woven through the tapestry of our state’s story across generations,” he said.
“He counselled treasurers of all political persuasions, and he was gracious enough to share the wisdom of his experience with me on several occasions.
“Our state is great because of Sir Leo.”
Leo Hielscher pictured in 2020 at his home office in his retirement unit. (Supplied)
Sir Leo was awarded a Knight Bachelor in 1987 and a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2004.
His grandson, Lyndon Phipps, said he was an “incredible man”.
“A lot of people always asked him: ‘What’s your secret for looking so good and living so long?’
“He’d always give a little smirk and say: ‘Good clean living in my youth,’ and then have a good chuckle because that certainly wasn’t the case, going to war and being in the war and having a rough old time through his teens and his 20s.
“He did so much for Queensland and, in turn, Australia.”
“He’ll never be forgotten,” he said.