State funeral honours `special person'

GOVERNOR Peter Underwood will be too busy to rest in his next life, according to long-time friend and colleague William Cox.

Mr Cox, a former judge and governor, was one of the many dignitaries who attended yesterday's state funeral for Mr Underwood.

Mr Underwood served 23 years on the bench of the Supreme Court of Tasmania, including more than three years as chief justice.

Among the mourners were past and present judges, politicians, servicemen and women and members of the Tasmanian legal community.

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and Chief Justice Alan Blow, who has temporarily taken on the role as the state's head, arrived with a police escort.

Mr Cox, a 60-year friend of Mr Underwood, told of happy days studying law with him at the University of Tasmania and referred to him as ``Tasmania's response to Troy Donahue''.

Mr Cox described serving with Mr Underwood on the bench of the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

``I admired his energy, expertise and open mindedness,'' Mr Cox said.

Chief Justice Blow said Mr Underwood gave enormously to the Tasmanian community.

``He died in his prime, with much more to give,'' Chief Justice Blow said.

Long-standing friend Colin Jackson had a message to Mr Underwood's children.

``Your father was a very special person, who achieved greatness,'' Mr Jackson said.

``Cherish his memory and think of him often.''

The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and TSO Chorus performed several times during the service, as a tribute to Mr Underwood's time as director.

A funeral procession travelled to Government House where the driveway was lined by an army honour guard, and a private internment was held.