Sir Llewellyn Roy Edwards, an Ipswich born politician who played a prominent role in shaping the region, has died at 85. 

Sir Llew’s wife, Lady Jane Edwards AM said he died on Tuesday night (May 26) following a long battle with dementia.

Described as a ‘visionary Queenslander’, Sir Llew was born in Ipswich and worked as an electrician in the family business, RT Edwards, after completing his education at Raceview and Silkstone schools as well as at Ipswich Grammar. 

On completing his medical degree at the University of Queensland Sir Edwards became a doctor in Ipswich. 

His journey shaping the region as a figure in Queensland politics began in 1972 when he was elected as the Member for Ipswich for the Liberal Party. 

Sir Llew remained in Queensland Parliament for 11 years, till 1983 and served as Health Minister, Deputy Premier and Treasurer.

Following his political career, Sir Llew, returned to his education roots, as he oversaw the University of Queensland as Chancellor for 16 years from 1993 to 2009.

The former Ipswich MP was also Chair and CEO at the helm of Brisbane’s World Expo ’88, a significant event in Queensland’s history. 

He was knighted in 1984 for his public and professional services and in 2010 he was named as a ‘Queensland Great’, receiving the award for his extraordinary contribution to the State. 

FORMER IPSWICH Mayor John Nugent told the Guardian & Tribune Sir Llew was a model example of what a member of parliament should be.  

“I knew Llew quite well,” he said.

“Llew Edwards to me was what a politician should be. 

“Politics is a poorer place for not having more people like Llew Edwards.

“He had a strong feeling for the general public, the people and their welfare.

“He was truly a man of the people.” 

Ipswich is traditionally a safe Labor seat. But Mr Nugent said Sir Llew’s ability to secure the seat despite being a Liberal Party candidate was his strong connection to the community. 

“The thing I liked about him was at that time Ipswich was an area that would vote solidly Labor but Llew was a member of the Liberal party – he had a strong personal following,” he said. 

“He was a man who had a personal relationship with the area and people rewarded him by voting for him time after time.” 

Mr Nugent said his thoughts were with Sir Llew’s family and that he was no doubt ‘looking upon them from heaven’. 

Springfield Senator Paul Scarr said he remembers meeting the retired Liberal MP and was ‘in awe’ of him. 

“Sir Llew would regularly get his morning coffee near where I used to work and our paths would occasionally cross.   

“Sir Llew had been part of the Queensland I grew up in.  

“It was a time of extraordinary economic growth and progress. 

“My overwhelming recollection was that he was such a charming, polite man with a great sense of humour - an example for all of us in public life to follow.”

UNIVERSITY OF Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said Sir Llew was an outstanding yet humble man who transformed Queensland.

“Sir Llew was generous and courteous to all and provided UQ with a wealth of experience during his time as the University’s twelfth Chancellor,” Professor Terry said.

“He built enormous goodwill for our University and the Australian higher education sector.

“No doubt many UQ graduates have fond memories of their graduations, sharing high fives on stage with Sir Llew.  

“In everything he did, he was unfailingly generous, engaged and inclusive.”

IPSWICH GRAMMAR School where Sir Llew was part of the class of 1951 said he was ‘an integral piece of the fabric’ that made up the school. 

The school said their thoughts were with his family, including Sir Llew’s son and Chair of the Board, David Edwards.