Ken Tribe was the inaugural Chairman of the William Fletcher Trust in 1985 and guided us wisely for 20 years. He became our patron when we incorporated as the William Fletcher Foundation in 2006. He represented us at many ceremonies in NSW Fine Arts faculties where grants and certificates were handed to the talented and needy tertiary art students whom we supported. He attended our latest AGM in February 2010 where plans for a new Travelling fellowship to the British School at Rome were outlined and he saw this as a wonderful step in the future of this charity which he had helped to found. We value his contribution and consider him a personal friend; our founder Mr Trevor Andersen lunched with him frequently. We remember not only his excellent advice and guidance but also his cheery personality, which helped make meetings and social occasions such a pleasure. Fond wishes to all the family See also www.williamfletcherfoundation.org.au

Terry Clarke

15 years ago

As Chairman of the William Fletcher Trust (as it then was) for 19 years, Ken was easily the best chair that I have known anywhere. Gently firm, considerate, listening to all, yet quietly getting through the business paper, knowing where time needed to be spent (and where not). a smile never far away. A true gentleman, one who wore his immense knowledge and experience lightly, and a wonderful friend to the memory of Fletcher, despite the fact that he had never met him.

My abiding memories of Ken are his eloquence, reasoned judgement and generosity of spirit. In the early 1990s I was writing a book about the Sydney Symphony, and had many conversations with Ken concerning everything from his early memories as a concert-goer (and chorister), his chairmanship of the report which led to the Orchestras' divestment from the ABC, and his observations on (then) current musical life. He had, at that time, been closely involved in the presentation of music for more than 40 years, and the joy music continued to bring him was apparent every time we met. He was a dear and very special man, and I was honoured to have known him. My sincere condolences to his loved ones.

Ken and I shared many a laugh on his trips to New York. He stayed here with me for at least three times. Each time he said , "Well, Suzi, this will be my last trip to New York. And then there would be another trip. He adored this town and walked it like a native. Bookstores, of course, were a great source of interest for him and he always went home with more books than he arrived with. Our discussions were wide-ranging and included politics, history, language and all sorts of trivia. His knowledge of so many things made him that rare creature - a renaissance man. Here's to you dear friend. You shall be sorely missed by all. Love, Suzi

Margaret Harrison

15 years ago

Hi Suzi! This is Margaret Harrison and it's amazing to see your name at this sad time. What a good life Ken had and reached such a wonderful old age. We must make contact again so please send me an email at margaret.harrison@ourhrcompany.com. Have lots to tell you!

I had the privilege of being briefed by Ken in 1998 in what I believe was one of his last cases. Once we decided to go to Court, Jim Spigelman QC, now Chief Justice of New South Wales, was brought in to lead me. For many reasons it was a memorable case for both of us, particularly because of the pleasure of being briefed by Ken. He was the perfect solicitor - utterly professional, courteous to everybody (including those on the other side), acute and correct in his analysis of the difficult issues in the case, and very discrete. There was also the added pleasure of being completely successful for a deserving client. In other cases in which I was involved I also saw Ken's work in drafting trust deeds and soon realized he was a very learned "black letter" lawyer. It was not difficult to see why he was implicitly trusted both for his abilities and sagacity by some of the wealthiest families in Sydney. Above all this, however stood the profound pleasure of discussing music with him. I have been going to concerts since the late 1950s when I was about 8, and it was just delightful to discuss anything to do with music with him. After our case together concluded we continued to meet at concerts from time to time, and whenever we discussed the performance, I felt I was drawing form a very deep and generous well of musical knowledge and understanding. The best way of putting it is to say that one went to a concert both to enjoy the music and hoping to meet Ken. I also had the pleasure of meeting his wife on some of these occasions and saw what a happy and devoted couple they were. When one looks at Ken's life there have been very few, if any, people who have given more to the cultural life of Sydney in its history. My very sincere sympathies go to all Ken's family. May God comfort them in their loss. John Whittle SC Sydney