For Warwick Smith, Launceston Grammar wasn’t just where he completed his schooling, it was home.
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The former member for Bass returned to the campus where he spent his formative years on Monday to accept the Peter Sculthorpe Award, which is given to a member of school community that has made a significant contribution to their field.
A past boarder at the school, Mr Smith said the years he spent there went on to have a profound effect on his life.
“When you spend 12 years at one school, where you board from the age of six, it ends up being a big part of your life,” he said.
“When you get older, you reflect nostalgically on what your influences were.
“The values of equality, curiousity and community that the school promotes to its students have remained, despite the impact of technology and the internet.”
After forming part of the school’s graduating class of 1972, Mr Smith studied law, political science and history at the Australian National University, also graduating with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tasmania.
He entered federal politics in 1984 as the Member for Bass, going on to hold the portfolios of sport, territories and local government, and family service during the years of the Howard government.
Since leaving parliament in 1998, Mr Smith has occupied variety of roles within the corporate sector.
He currently leads the boards of a range of companies, with a particular focus on Asia.
In 2008, Mr Smith was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the Parliament of Australia, the telecommunications industry, the promotion of international trade and tourism, and philanthropy.
He is fourth recipient of the Peter Sculthorpe Alumnus Award, joining former Australian diplomat Peter FitzGerald, leading scientist Professor Derek Denton, and journalist Indira Naidoo.
The 64-year-old said he was humbled by the honour.
“I’m delighted the school has recognised a parliamentarian,” he said.
“The school is one of the oldest in Australia, and it has generated all sorts of wonderful talent.
“Dr FitzGerald is a very close friend of mine, with whom I have worked together on a number of things.”
Mr Smith had the opportunity to address senior and junior students as part of Monday’s visit, as well as have lunch with staff and prefects.
He said he based his speech on two main themes.
“Resilience and persistence were two words I spoke about,” he said.
“It’s important to take the good with the bad.”