THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
THE HON MICHAEL DANBY MP
MEMBER FOR MELBOURNE PORTS
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE OPPOSITION LEADER
SAUL SAME AM
Saul Same was a true friend of Labor, but he was also much more than that.
Mr Same arrived in Australia as an immigrant from British-controlled Palestine just after the first World War. After serving our country in the RAAF during World War II, an unexpected turn of events saw him take over the family business, making shirts for the army.
Through his success in that business, which later became the iconic Gloweave, Mr Same emerged as one of Victoria's most notable entrepreneurs.
But it is a mark of Mr Sames character that financial success was never an end in itself. He wanted to do more.
He became a legendary philanthropist, giving generously to social and educational projects in the developing nation of Israel, for which he was awarded the Israel Goldstein Prize in 1992 by the Keren Hayesod Foundation, one of just four Australian recipients.
In the early 1950s he started to organise meetings for federal Labor leaders with the Melbourne Jewish community.
For the next half-century, Mr Same delivered unwavering support to the Labor cause. He was a valued friend and adviser to every Labor leader who came through the ranks during that time, and was particularly treasured by the late Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke, Kim Beazley and Julia Gillard.
The events held at his home in Armadale in support of the party before every federal election were Labor legend, Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said. I valued his friendship and advice immensely.
Victoria's Jewish community will miss Mr Same greatly. He was a tireless advocate for the community and gave generously to philanthropic organisations in aid of Jewish communities at home and abroad.
My friend Avshalom as he was known to the congregation of Elwood Shule and I sat together at Synagogue over the last decade of his 96 years, Member for Melbourne Ports Michael Danby said. He continued to keenly follow politics, especially of his beloved friends in the leadership of Australian Labor.
It was obvious to anyone who met him that Saul was a person of unique character a genuinely kind, loving and giving man with a passionate interest in Australia.
He will be sorely missed.
THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 2016
