George Miller’s contribution to workplace safety in NSW and to the Sutherland Shire community has been highlighted following his death from cancer at 73.
Mr Miller, a life-long Sutherland resident who died on December 9, was the state’s chief industrial magistrate for almost a quarter of a century, from 1987 to 2011.
In the decade before his appointment to the bench, he was the chief prosecuting officer of the then Department of Industrial Relations before becoming its principal legal officer.
In his local community, he was a life member of Sutherland Athletics Club, helped establish Sylvania Waters Athletic Track and was involved with Elourea Surf Life Saving Club, St Patrick’s Church and, in later life, Sutherland Shire Historical Society.
Executive director of SafeWork NSW Peter Dunphy said in an email to staff Mr Miller’s “contribution towards better work health and safety outcomes for NSW workplaces cannot be overstated”.
“Mr Miller’s legacy in formulating judicial comment has provided a strong foundation for many important protections for workers in contemporary NSW,” he said.
Mr Dunphy said Mr Miller also made a significant contribution to supporting the core work of safety inspectors, through awareness sessions he delivered to them during their training.
Mr Miller’s father George was a much-loved doctor in Sutherland for many years.
Matthew Miller said at the funeral service, held at St Patrick’s Church on Friday, his grandfather served in the Army as a doctor and his grandmother as a nurse.
“When the war ended, they ended up in what must have been country NSW back then, Sutherland,” he said.
The couple raised six children.
“Dad lived in Sutherland all his life, firstly in Eton Street, where the social security offices currently are, and then on to Glencoe Street [where Dr Miller’s surgery was attached to the house],” Mr Miller said.
“Upon getting married, Dad crossed the railway tracks to other side of Sutherland, Kurrajong Street, and remained there for the rest of his life.
“His father delivered so many of the babies of the shire between 1950 and 1976, and I have been amazed at the number of people who have come out of the woodwork this week passing on their condolences saying, ‘both your father and grandfather were great men’.
“Dad was educated by the nuns and brothers. He couldn’t read and write until he was nine years old, with the nuns always telling his mother not to worry, that everyone learns eventually, and learn he did.
“He went on to gain his leaving certificate at De La Salle College, Cronulla, and went on to study law at Sydney University.
“While he was at university he worked various jobs, one of which was delivering mail for the PMG in Como and the other was driving the trucks that filled in Sylvania Waters.”
Mr Miller said his father was, most importantly, a family man – a father of three and grandfather of six.
He was the primary carer for his wife Patricia, who died from brain cancer in 1998.
”No matter who I talk to, everybody is unanimous that Dad was a good bloke, generous, caring, compassionate, intelligent and thoughtful, to name a few traits,” he said.
Mr Miller thanked Southside Cancer Care Centre and Calvary Hospital for their care.
”Lastly, Mum and Dad were married 50 years ago in the old church across the road, yes, 50 years ago yesterday afternoon,” he said.
“I know some of you here were here for that, well, they will be reunited very shortly.”