It is with deep sadness that His Honour, the Honourable Hugh Heggie, PSM, Administrator of the Northern Territory, Ms Ruth Jones and Government House staff acknowledge the passing of former Administrator Mr Thomas (Tom) Pauling AO KC.
Mr Pauling was the 19th Administrator of the Northern Territory, serving the Territory and its people from 31 October 2007 to 31 October 2011.
He was a distinguished Territorian and respected community leader.
He was a much loved and admired long term Territorian with passions and interests ranging across the business and community spectrum including law, education, health, sport, theatre, music and the arts.
He was the founding member of the NT Independent Bar Association in 1974, Vice Chairman and Founding Member of the Forster Foundation for Drug Rehabilitation 1978-1982, Secretary (Founding) NT Bar Association 1980-1982 amongst a long list of offices and patronages.
He was appointed a Knight of Grace of the Order of St John in 2007 and Officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday 2008 Honours List.
As the 19th Administrator for the Northern Territory Mr Pauling chaired 56 meetings to the Executive Council, had 15 swearing-in ceremonies of Ministers, Judges and Statutory Officers and assented to 129 proposed laws.
He invested 119 Territorians with Australian Honours and Awards and conducted 18 investiture ceremonies in Government House and across the Northern Territory.
Mr Pauling and his wife Tessa received 400 courtesy calls at Government House from Ambassadors, foreign representatives and representatives from community organisations. They graciously hosted 226 events at Government House and attended another 1134 events, delivered 319 speeches, and welcomed 26,000 guests and visitors to Government House.
Mr Pauling visited over 40 communities, opened countless exhibitions and launched enough books to fill a library.
We thank Tom and Tessa for their unwavering support to the people of the Territory in the role of Administrator and beyond. Our heartfelt thoughts are with his wife Tessa, children Fred and Zoe and grandchildren.
