Flinders mourns death of Geoff Anderson

geoff-andersonFlinders University is mourning the death today of a highly respected academic and political commentator, Mr Geoff Anderson.

Flinders Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Barber, said he and his University colleagues were saddened by Mr Anderson’s sudden and premature passing.

“Geoff made a distinctive contribution to the University.  His long experience in government and in business relations provided insights and connections much appreciated by his students and colleagues,” Professor Barber said.

“It gave him a valuable research perspective, and he was making a particular academic impact in documenting and explaining the intricate workings of Australia’s federal system of government.  The University has benefited enormously from his work with us,” he said.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Professor Phyllis Tharenou said that “after three decades advising South Australian Premiers and working on many public policy consultancies Geoff Anderson joined Flinders in 2002 where he developed quickly a reputation as one of the University’s most engaging and inspiring teachers’.

“His practical insight into how government works, and policy is formed, meant Geoff was highly valued by his students and academic colleagues alike. A spirited story teller and lecturer, he was one of the truly avuncular characters on campus,” Professor Tharenou said.

“Students flocked to his topics because they knew his practical experience in government offered rare critical insight into the machinations of politics and public policy. His keenness to educate people on the virtues and vice of Australian politics also made him a sought after public speaker and political commentator,” she said.

“A scholar of Australian Federalism he built, in a relatively short time span, an admirable research profile that was respected and sought after by political scientists both in Australia and internationally.”

Mr Anderson, who was a Senior Lecturer in Politics and Public Policy at Flinders, is survived by his wife Prue, children and grandchildren.

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27 thoughts on “Flinders mourns death of Geoff Anderson

  1. As an adult returning to University I encountered Geoff in Politics and Policy subjects and his engagement with the subject matter and with me (and others) as a student and as a person was second to none. Our conversations ranged far and wide and his support in my developing a voice of my own was just remarkable. After I graduated we had occasional phone chats and emails on topical subjects or a public appearance he had made, he remained just as engaged as I had experienced him in my studies. This is such a sad occasion and a great loss. My particular thoughts to those closest to him, his family, his friends, his colleagues. Vale Geoff.

  2. Geoff was an engaging and knowledgable lecturer. I have taken two of his classes and his enthusiasm, stories and warmth will be sadly missed. Condolances to his family.

  3. Geoff, you were an inspiration to so many students, I am deeply saddened to hear of your passing, it was only yesterday I saw your name logged into FLO. You changed the way I thought about Politics and gave me knowledge that has and will make me a better person for the rest of my life that I will pass onto my own children to better theirs. You had a passion for your work that I have rarely experienced and that made it so much more enjoyable.

    I will miss the last tutorials for us mature aged students to the Treasury.

    I send my sympathy to your wife, children and grandchildren who you spoke so fondly of in your lectures and tutorials, I can only imagine how sorely missed you will be.

    Thank you for the inspiration,

    Darren Bryans nee Lawler

  4. Geoff was a delightful academic and passionate about Politics and his students. He loved his family and would often incorporate them into his tutorials.
    He will be sadly missed. Rest In Peace Geoff.

  5. Geoff was charasmatic, charming and always made me laugh-even if he wasn’t trying to.
    A greatly respected man. He will be missed.
    Rest in peace Geoff.

  6. I too am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Geoff Anderson. As a mature age student, interested in Politics, but new to the study, I was highly motivated by Geoff’s love of his topic and by his depth of knowledge which he was willing to share. I thoroughly enjoyed our late afternoon tutorials in the CBD and will also miss the last tutorial of the semester in the Treasury gardens. I’m sure I owe him a couple of beers!
    Geoff was a wonderful lecturer and person, always willing to answer questions and prompt a discussion with a deliberately controversial statement, said with a grin, to see how we’d react. I will certainly miss him at campus, along with many others I’m sure.
    My sincerest condolences to Prue and his family, whom he often spoke about with joy and love.

  7. Geoff was more than a lecturer, he was a friend. Geoff took interest in his students opinions and views. He certainly changed my perspectives on many things and was always ready to assist as needed. A dedicated, happy and content man who has inspired me to be more than I was. I shall miss his chats, his easy going manner but most of all I feel we have lost a great resource. My respects to Geoffs family and loved ones.

  8. So sad to hear of Geoff’s sudden death. Geoff was easy to consider as a friend as well as a lecturer and tutor. I will remember our last tutes each semester with great affection – Geoff had a great way of imparting his knowledge and experiences. Deepest condolences to Geoff’s wife and family of whom he always spoke with much obvious love. Condolences to his colleagues at Flinders, and to all of us in the student body – uni and study won’t be the same without him.

  9. Apart from any hyperbole was one of the most inspiring teachers. Furthermore he was a friend for his students. A great loss. You will be sadly missed.
    “Every teaching and every mental learning begins from the knowledge which preexists” Aristotle.
    You gave us lots. Thanks teacher. Always in our heart.
    My sympathy to his family.

  10. Geoff, you were a brilliant lecturer and great man, you will be sorely missed by all those who came in contact with you. May you Rest in Peace.

  11. Geoff, an inspiration, a mentor, a friend to so many. He had so much to give and would do so willingly, in his own inimitable style. Will be sadly missed.

  12. It’s my first year in Flinders and I had lectures given by him this year.
    As an international student, I am inspired by his values and experiences, and he gave many wonderful lectures which I couldn’t forget.
    As a student of POLI 1011, I appreciate his insight on the new flo page and the online materials.
    It’s a big loss to Flinders.
    He will be remembered.
    May you rest in peace.
    Hans

  13. As brief as my experience with Geoff was, he truly left an impression of being a great man who treated everyone kindly and cared for his students. He will be sadly missed, and my thoughts are with his family.

  14. I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Geoff Anderson. I too a mature age student returning to study, I will forever be grateful to, his encouragement, mentorship and friendship. I will definitely miss our coffee chats by the law school. Thanks Geoff for igniting my passion to keep learning; you will truly be missed. My sincere condolences to Prue, his family and adored grandchildren.

  15. I knew Geoff both in his role as adviser to Premier John Bannon and at Flinders. He was a an inspiring man with a significant intellect. I was impressed by his piece about David Hick’s father – it showed me another side of Geoff.

  16. Geoff was committed to sharing knowledge. He volunteered his time and efforts to including auditing students with an intellectual disability in his topics. He will be sadly missed by the participants, student mentors and staff of the Up the Hill Project.

  17. Geoff was a fine contributor to political debate in SA and a terrific teacher in politics at Flinders University. I certainly learnt a lot from him when he supervised one of my Masters subjects. A sad day for SA. Condolences to his family.

  18. Geoff’s passion for life and politics was infectious. His tutorials in the city have been one of the most enjoyable parts of uni, and I will sorely miss them.
    Condolences to Prue and his family, as others have mentioned, he spoke fondly of them often. We have all lost a great man, and a champion of public policy.

  19. Geoff was really inspiring – and his stories were always insightful and captivating.
    He will be sorely missed.
    My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

  20. I was fortunate to have him as a brother. His intellect, sense of humour, compassion, great generosity and love of his family will always stay with me. He was a truly great man in every sense of the word. We miss you Geoff.

  21. I lost a mentor. I have been coming to Geoff for some explanation in politics for the last seven years of my study at Flinders University. He has been my tutor for three years for different political topics such as poli2018. Even when I was doing master of accounting, I used to meet him and we discussed politics, as I am a fan in Federal politics. His position in Flinders academic building will hardly be filled.

  22. Mr Geoff, You provided me with a background knowledge in Government, Business and Society relationships.You will forever remain in my heart. May your soul rest in peace.

  23. Geoff was certainly a larger than life character. He sent me a postcard from Italy in response to an email I’d sent him & I was delighted and touched that he had thought of me to do this. He really cared about his students and he was a fantastic reference and teacher. I’ll never forget the tutorial when he was so chuffed and excited that he was going to be a grandfather that he had to announce it to the whole class. My condolences to his family.

  24. Geoff was my 1st lecturer when I started here in 2007 as a mature age student. I am devestated to hear of his passing – he was a real gem. Not only was he a lecturer, but a friend, and his enthusiasm for politics (and life in general!!)was inspiring. Rest in peace Geoff and thank you.

  25. Geoff was the first real connection I made with university studies as a mature age student. He became a great friend and mentor inspiring my entrance into a career as a public servant, now living in Canberra. I discovered this sad news after discussing his work with colleagues and looked to follow up on what he may be working on currently. It’s been a year since we last caught up. Devastated.
    Rest in peace sir, you were a true inspiration and great man.

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