Hon. L.H. Davis - Condolence Motion
Tuesday 18 August 2026
S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (14:24): I, too, rise to pay tribute to the Hon. Legh Davis. Legh Davis was a South Australian through and through. He devoted many years of his life to public service, including more than two decades as a member of this parliament, and he continued to contribute to our state long after his parliamentary career had ended.
While Legh's political career was significant, I would like to recognise the contribution he made to the arts and to the cultural life of South Australia. Legh understood something that those of us who work in and around the arts know very well, that the arts are not simply about performances, exhibitions or beautiful buildings, they are about the character of a place, they are about bringing people together, telling our stories, challenging us to see the world differently and to give people a sense of belonging. He put that belief into practice.
Legh had a long and significant association with the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation. He served on its board, later became its Chair and, ultimately, its patron. He was a generous donor and a tireless fundraiser for the arts. Perhaps the most visible example of his contribution was his leadership in the renewal of Her Majesty's Theatre. The redevelopment of Her Maj was an enormous undertaking. It was about preserving one of Adelaide's most treasured cultural institutions while ensuring it would continue to serve audiences and artists well into the future.
Legh played a central role in making that vision a reality, including through a fundraising campaign that helped secure the renewal of the theatre. He knew that future generations of South Australians deserved to inherit great cultural institutions and that those institutions deserved investment and care. Legh also supported a broad range of arts initiatives, including the Arts for All program, which reflected his belief that the benefits of the arts should be accessible to everyone.
His generosity extended well beyond the arts, of course. He was involved in philanthropy and community organisations throughout his life, and he was known for his willingness to get involved, raise money and encourage others to do the same. His fundraising efforts, including decades of quiz nights and his work supporting charitable causes, reflected a genuine generosity of spirit. Those who knew Legh also remember the person behind these achievements: his warmth, his stories and, perhaps most memorably, those colourful bow ties.
It is clear from the tributes following his passing that Legh had an ability to make people feel welcome and valued. He built relationships across politics, business, the arts and the wider community, and he carried those relationships with him throughout his life. It is particularly fitting that Legh was recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours with appointment as a member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the arts, to philanthropy and to the community of South Australia.
That recognition captures something important about Legh's life. His contribution was not confined to one profession or one organisation. He gave his time, his energy, his experience and his generosity to the things he believed made South Australia a better place. For those of us who have the privilege of serving in public life, his example is a reminder that public service does not need to end when we leave parliament. There are always ways to contribute, to advocate, to encourage and to make a difference. Legh Davis did that throughout his life. Vale Legh Davis.
