Katie Allen (Higgins, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Like the family unit, music is central to the human experience. It has a capacity to convey emotion and bring individuals together, whether for entertainment or for ritual. As a paediatrician I also know and understand the important role that music plays in the cognitive development of children, including language and literacy abilities, spatial reasoning and fine motor coordination.

The passing of Don Burrows earlier this year marked the end of an era for Australian music. Australian jazz fans will forever be grateful for his remarkable cultural legacy. Don was born on 8 August 1928 in Berowra, Sydney, to musical parents. He first picked up the flute in 1937—three of my four children play the flute, so I know how much he must have loved it!—after meeting flautist Victor McMahon. In the early 1940s he also picked up the clarinet and studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. My colleague and good friend the member for Moncrieff, who is also a world-class saxophonist, has reliably informed me Don played more than two dozen woodwind instruments. He would go on to release 40 albums.

By 1942 Don was fast becoming a key figure in Sydney jazz circles. He performed in dance halls, in nightclubs and on radio, including The Youth Show on Macquarie Radio. In the sixties and seventies Don's talent took him all over the world. In 1973 Don put Australian jazz on the map when he became the first Australian jazz musician to win a gold record for his record Just the Beginning. Many will remember Don for his later work on The Don Burrows Collection, which ran for six years during the 1980s; I certainly do. Don collaborated with many artists over the years, including household names such as Frank Sinatra, the great Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett. He also had a notable partnership with James Morrison, who recently said that Don 'touched so many lives and inspired generations of musicians and audiences alike'. Don was also an accomplished photographer, and received honours from the Australian Institute of Professional Photography in 2008. This passion complemented his travels as a musician.

Don was also passionate about education. He spearheaded the establishment of the jazz course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was chair of jazz studies—a pretty cool job, if you ask me. He also used his passion of photography to support those making a career in music. For many years he travelled to regional and remote locations to perform and to photograph the sights and people along the way. Some of his favourite photos were of Indigenous children. These images were never included for sale; however, an idea was put to the department of Indigenous affairs in Canberra that he sell some of these images and put the proceeds towards a fund to support any Indigenous person seeking assistance for a career in music. That's what happened.

Don understood the power of investment in the arts and in particular music. The Morrison government also understands the importance of investing in Australia's arts sector. We recognise the valuable contribution it makes to our community, to our economy and, indeed, to our national identity.

Earlier this year I championed the need for an inquiry into the impact of COVID on the arts and how we as a government must ensure that our cultural identity not only thrives but prospers. An inquiry was announced in August this year. A standing committee will now undertake an inquiry into Australia's creative and cultural industries and institutions, including but not limited to Indigenous, regional, rural and community based organisations. This is important to build upon the important contribution of those who have gone before us, such as Don.

Australia will forever be indebted to Don for his cultural legacy. He is a true national treasure. Jazz biographer Bruce Johnson said of Don:

… his importance to Australian jazz extends beyond his musicianship. He has been central in the acceptance of jazz as a musical form to be treated with the same seriousness accorded other performing arts …

I'd like to mention that my uncle Mark Stephens, also known as Lazy Harry, is a country musician. I've watched his career over many decades and know how difficult it can be to make it in the music scene. We thank Don Burrows for the work he has done. He has made Australia a little more worldly and a little more sophisticated. Rest in peace, Don.

See this speech in context