By Sean Nicholls
HE HAS endured 12 premiers, eight speakers and sat through countless debates - and scandals - in the bearpit in Australia's oldest parliament.
After 21 years, the reign of the longest-serving Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Russell Grove, will come to an end when he retires on November 4.
Russell Grove ... retiring after 21 years.Credit: Nick Moir
''I've enjoyed every single day of my working life,'' Mr Grove, 61, told the Herald. ''I'm very fortunate in that regard.''
Reflecting on how the parliament has changed in the four decades he has worked there, Mr Grove said there was ''probably more camaraderie 40 years ago. Civility is a big issue in politics internationally. But there is also more pressure on MPs''.
On what makes a good clerk, he said: ''You just need to keep your mouth closed.''
Yesterday, MPs honoured Mr Grove's career. The Premier, Barry O'Farrell, said Mr Grove was regarded as ''one of the finest'' clerks in the Parliament's 155-year history. ''He served under too many premiers to mention, from Bob Askin when he first arrived in this place through to myself,'' he said. ''It has been a remarkable period of service.''
He had witnessed 2168 sitting days, equating to more than 20,000 hours, and the introduction of more than 6000 bills.
The Opposition Leader, John Robertson, acknowledged as ''invaluable'' Mr Grove's advice on parliamentary procedure. ''He, more than any of us, keeps this place running seamlessly.'' He had served with ''good humour and an impartiality that has seen him win bipartisan support''.
The Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner, joked that there ''had been the odd incident in this house'' over his 40 years.
''Just think if he ever chose to write his memoirs … he's seen it all - all of these incidents.''
In the public gallery during the tributes were Mr Grove's wife, Frances, and daughter, Sarah-Jane.
Afterwards MPs joined Mr Grove for morning tea in the Speaker's Garden and he received a standing ovation at the end of question time.
Mr Grove said he would tackle a pile of political biographies, but has no plans for a tell-all book of his own.