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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 6 Hansard (24 May) . . Page.. 1623 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

opened the minds of thousands of Australians to the story of their country in a way nothing else had done.

That is very true, and she was a significant part of it. She was a fine person, and a great example to us all.

MS TUCKER: I also join with members in this condolence motion for Dymphna Clark. As others have said, Dymphna was a woman of great intellect, strength and integrity. As happens with many women, she was publicly known more as the wife of her famous historian husband, Manning Clark, rather than for her own achievements, but her achievements were many.

In her earlier years she was a scholar in German literature, and later assisted Manning Clark in researching his books on Australian history. She was also the mother to six children, which obviously took much of her time. As her children grew older, she was able to devote more of her time to environmental and social justice issues. In the mid-eighties, she was a key participant in the formation of the Aboriginal Treaty Committee, which led to the current moves towards reconciliation and justice for Aboriginal people.

She was also a supporter of a number of environmental groups over the years, and most recently was the patron of ACT for Trees, which is really where I got to know her. This was only formed in 1997, but has become a key champion of Canberra's bush capital heritage. She gave generously of her time to this group and also made her house available for its meetings. ACT for Trees will greatly miss her presence.

She also contributed to the cultural life of the Canberra community by turning her family house into a meeting centre, which has been used for seminars, book launches, literary talks and musical events. Dymphna has left her mark on Canberra and, indeed, on Canberra's and Australia's cultural life, both in her own right and in association with Manning Clark, raising six children at the same time. She has shown remarkable strength and dignity in her life and she will be sorely missed.

Question resolved in the affirmative, members standing in their places.

LAND (PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT) AMENDMENT BILL 2000 (NO 3)

MR CORBELL (10.41): Mr Speaker, I present the Land (Planning and Environment) Amendment Bill 2000 (No 3), together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR CORBELL: I move:

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