Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 5 Hansard (3 May) . . Page.. 1390 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

Under Bob's editorship, Electricity Week ... is especially remembered for the highly original process for exploring alternative market models, which Bob set up, and threw open to all points of view. With hindsight, it can be seen that many of the contributors Bob encouraged, not to mention Bob himself, were far more prescient about how the National Electricity Market would evolve, than were those who actually designed the Market.

Furthermore, it was Bob's innovative consultation on the proposed national grid that provided the conceptual basis for the various Green schemes that are now expanding across Australia-schemes that function, as Bob knew that they would, on the positivity and commitment of ordinary people. Everyone who knew and worked with Bob will miss that extraordinary insight and open mind.

The achievements of activists are not sufficiently celebrated in our society, which measures importance more in fame and in money. Yet it is the optimism, commitment and energy of activists such as Bob Beatty that drive the changes that have to happen. Bob was an activist in his work, his recreation, and in his friendships.

Bob was an enthusiastic outdoor and adventure sportsman, and, whilst spearheading an engineering critique of the Hydro Electric Commission during the Franklin campaign with the Wilderness Society, he saved himself from almost certain drowning in the Franklin River through his sheer strength and spirit. One of the many themes that emerged at Bob's funeral was this zest for life.

His friends and family spoke of the lift he brought to social events in every setting. Always prepared to talk, laugh, sing, dance and engage with, and to care for, everyone who shared his life.

Bob's last few years in Canberra included several episodes of mental illness, yet the Bob who was manic was different only in degree to the brilliant, open-hearted, inspired and inspiring man that he otherwise was. In a manic episode at the funeral of a friend last year, Bob called for a song and beat time on the coffin, threw his guitar in the grave, and swam naked in the cemetery's duck pond. His partner Margy, and his other good friends, could see that action needed to be taken, and he was later hospitalised for six weeks. Nonetheless, Bob's actions had a sense of their own, and Margy learnt a year later that the bereaved mother at that funeral had found Bob's actions so very comforting. She asked Margy to pass on her thanks, to which Bob replied that the circle was complete.

Many of the speakers at the end of Bob's funeral spoke very personally of the insight and support and interest that Bob had shown them. People from all walks of life speaking very much from the heart, finding strength and sometimes even humour in their loss, cast a very clear light on Bob's legacy; as did his coffin, which was decorated by close friends with layer upon layer of colourful art, representing the layers of memory and experience, and expressing their loss and their love for this extraordinary man.

Bob's activism and his commitment to social change was passionate and unstinting. Over the past few years he made a substantial and vital contribution to developing the Mental Health Consumer Network in Canberra and worked to change the mental health system so that it is the most respectful of, and caring for, mental health consumers and their carers. Bob organised for and wrote, with his usual clarity, precision and bravery, about the support we need most, and the rights we must have and assert if we suffer from

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .