Last night, Mr Fraser said Sir Zelman ''restored Australia's faith in the office of governor-general''.''He took over the position at a more difficult time than any other governor-general and served in the role with great distinction,'' Mr Fraser said. ''He worked extremely hard to see as much as he could and to talk to as many Australians as possible.'' Mr Fraser said Sir Zelman also made enormous contributions to academia and universities.
Born in Melbourne in 1919, Sir Zelman, who was Jewish, was educated at Scotch College and Melbourne University. He went to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He became dean of law at Melbourne University, and later vice-chancellor of the University of New England and then Queensland University.
Despite his weighty career, which included stints at US universities and advising foreign governments on legal matters, he also had a popular touch, appearing on panel programs in the early years of television.
After 4½ years at Yarralumla he became provost of Oriel College Oxford from 1982 to 1990. Back in Australia, he was a member of the board of Fairfax, which publishes the Herald, including a period as chairman. Among his many interests he was patron of the St Kilda Football Club.
In later life he suffered from Parkinson's disease, which he described as ''a cruel and perverse sort of thing''.
A Jewish community leader, Mark Leibler, said Sir Zelman was ''one Australia's greatest Jews'' and a man whose advice and guidance was sought frequently.
He is survived by his wife and four children - Simon, Nick (Yosef), Kate and Ben - 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
From The Age Newspaper 9th December 2011. 
