The Honourable Dr Moses Henry ’Moss’ Cass
February 18, 1927 – February 26, 2022
Former Maribyrnong MP Dr Moses Henry ’Moss’ Cass lived a life of many passions, spanning from the environment to healthcare, and one which touched many hearts throughout western Victoria and beyond.
Born in Narrogin in Western Australia in 1927, his life and work took him through a number of fields, including leading the Trade Union Clinic and Research Centre in Footscray, helping to implement the use of the first heart-lung machine in open-heart surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and serving six terms as the Maribyrnong MP from 1969 to 1983.
Dr Cass was also the first Environment and Conservation Minister from 1972 to 1975 in the Whitlam government and the Media Minister for a brief stint in 1975.
Son Dan spoke about his father’s battles for a number of issues during his political life, including fighting for key environmental legislation.
“Right to the end of his life, he was engaged,“ he said.
Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black said Dr Cass was a “shy and gentle“ man, who thrived when working towards finding a solution to a problem.
“He was an expert at asking the right question,“ he said.
Cohealth chief executive Nicole Bartholomeusz said Dr Cass delivered a number of key initiatives in the western Victorian health system, which continue to this day.
“We will continue to work to honour his work, his vision and his legacy,“ she said.
Former leader of the Australian Greens Bob Brown said Dr Cass was “one of the great environmental movers and shakers“ in Australian history.
“He was half a century behind his time,“ he said.
Mr Brown said Dr Cass’ work on conversation efforts at Lake Pedder and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as his work to create the legislation leading to the creation of environmental impact statements, were essential actions for the nation’s environmental sustainability.
A number of Australian dignitaries attended the state memorial service, including Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten, former Kooyong MP Josh Frydenberg, Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt and former Greens leader Richard Di Natale.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said Dr Cass’ work was “truly prodigious“.
“He has left this world a better place,“ he said.
