Australian PM's Father Donates Body to Science

The father of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard donated his body to science and did not want to be buried or remembered at a funeral but privately mourned, his death notice said Wednesday.

John Gillard, 83, died suddenly on Saturday morning in the South Australian city of Adelaide, prompting the prime minister to rush home from an Asia-Pacific summit in Russia to be with her family.

A death notice in the local Adelaide Advertiser newspaper described Gillard as a "humble man who always sought to help others" and wanted those wishing to honor his memory to donate to Medecins San Frontieres, his favorite charity.

"He died as he lived and has donated his body to science and requested that there should be no formal funeral service," the notice read.

John Gillard and wife Moira moved to Australia from Wales in 1966 under a cheap immigration scheme, bringing with them the small child who would become the nation's first woman prime minister.

Julia Gillard has not spoken publicly since her father's death, but issued a statement describing her father as an inspiration who was determined to give her the education that he himself lacked.

Treasurer Wayne Swan, acting as prime minister while Gillard is on leave, has said she is expected to be off work until at least the end of this week.