Page 373 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 15 February 2005
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I indeed too was very touched by his web site. It is funny how in life people whom you hardly know can have this impact upon you, but evidence of that was what I can only call the celebration of life, joy, freedom and liberty in the memorial service that was held for Charlie. It was literally standing room only. I was just so taken aback. It was the depth of this human being that was able to permeate the lives of everybody and any organisation he worked for.
I also stand here today on behalf of Liberal colleagues for Molonglo Zed Seselja and Richard Mulcahy and indeed all other Liberal candidates for Molonglo who stood in the election. They would often comment: “Who is this Charlie? What an exceptional guy.” As Dr Foskey has said, it was interesting that so many people thought Charlie’s approach was such a refreshing one in life—so different. He would transcend the boundaries of politics. I had probably three or four really good discussions with Charlie. Immediately you could get the heart of the man, and that is really a credit to his parents, to his former wife and to his partner, Pam—to many people, too many to mention but they know who they are. I was just taken aback by the stunning daughters and the musical gifts that that family have. Keep on the music; that was great.
This was a man who would turn around in my life the phrase, “How are you going?” He really wanted to know; he really did care about how you were going. I know Dr Foskey wrote that, and it is on the web site. But it is so true. When I read that, I said, “Yes, that’s right.” Charlie would come into a room and it was eyeball to eyeball, “How are you going?” You could tell it was not just, “How are you going? See you later,” as often many of us do. Charlie meant it. He wanted to know you. He wanted to know about you and your life.
This statement on his web site really epitomises him:
… I formed a deep commitment to supporting local peoples in their struggles to protect and sustain their livelihoods, cultures and natural resources.
That, from what I have heard, was the life of Charlie Pahlman. He was there. He wanted to be there for people. He had this deep commitment.
Charlie’s death was tragic, but he had a passion for water, and I can relate to that. I am a water baby too. I read on the web site about Charlie paddling around and he was so happy. I think he died in a place where he was most at home, in the ocean. You can read for yourselves the words that are written on the web site about that.
I am sure that wherever he is now Charlie will be advocating a fairer world. Charlie was, in the short time I knew him, a person of sincerity of heart. There are not a lot of human beings that you can often say that about. I pay my sincere respects and offer my sincere condolences to his close family but know that Charlie has sown seeds of greatness into his children and that from that we will see Charlie Pahlman living well in our community. Charlie, you did permeate your whole being into everything you did. Charlie, your memory lives on. God bless you, my friend.
Question resolved in the affirmative, members standing in their places.
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