Gold swords and diamond encrusted daggers. New documents reveal the pomp behind outgoing Governor General David Hurley’s charity and royal regatta exploits. Jommy Tee with the story.
In 2119, a centennial will take place. As part of the ceremony a hand-written note will be taken out from a secret compartment in an engraved silver sword. No doubt the note – penned by Australia’s Governor-General, David Hurley – will be read aloud and historians will shake their heads trying to make sense of it all.
The note will be the century-long legacy of the G-G, instigated at the behest of Sydney businessman and Henley Royal Regatta and Leander Club member, Chris Hartley. It will be immortalised moreover not only by the people of Australia but also the burghers of the UK’s Leander Club – the most prestigious and decorated rowing club in the world. The close association between the G-G David Hurley and the Royal Family-connected Chris Hartley culminated in the 2019 King’s Cup military rowing extravaganza, held at the Henley Royal Regatta, and the subsequent and peculiar demise of the GG’s charity, the Australian Future Leaders Foundation.
Hurley’s term as G-G can be defined by his relationship with Hartley. One of secrecy, military vanity, and paying lip service to open and accountable administration. The (dis)honour roll of the G-G’s controversies included not blinking an eye when appointing Scott Morrison to multiple ministries, starring in a promotional video for his.
