Page 705 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 1 May 2007
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On coming back to work, I was looking through my mail and was staggered to receive a letter signed by Audrey Fagan. This really goes to the heart of Audrey. I will not tell you the detail; it does not matter. She said, regarding the efforts of so-and-so in the management of an incident:
Thank you for your letter ...
It is always pleasing to receive letters such as yours in relation to the assistance given by AFP officers when assisting members of our community through the course of their duties.
I will ensure a copy of your letter, together with my personal thanks is passed on to …
There she named the AFP officer concerned. All I could see was Audrey’s smile. All I can see, as many have said, is the smile that came from a woman who was clearly doing it tough.
Audrey would not have wanted to play the male-female card. Like some other female members, and maybe male members, I sat here on 8 March 2007, on International Women’s Day. Audrey Fagan addressed that breakfast. With secure confidence she had it all together. She had everything to give—nothing to lose, it would seem. How many of us sitting in this place hold a dark, deep whatever? We need to investigate that further. Dr Foskey put it admirably and astutely. It is marvellous that we have this opportunity to speak publicly about what is so often hidden.
Let us be honest. Let us hope that, as the Chief Minister said, in the fullness of time Audrey Fagan’s death will not be in vain. It is always difficult to remember those who have died without experiencing a vacuum, a deep sense of remorse and loss concerning a loved one or somebody you worked closely with. They are there one minute; they are gone the next. I believe, however, if I may be so bold as to say this, that we should talk about the joy that Audrey brought to all those who came into contact with her and who she came into contact with. I am sure she would not have wanted us to do anything else.
Much has been said about Audrey’s outstanding achievements. Her life was snatched away from us prematurely. Like many of the people here today, I remember the first conversation I ever had with her. She captivated you. She took you into her arms, into her world—not the other way around. It was you, and only you. You were the only person there in the room at that time, or there in that meeting room. You were the one she was focused on. She made you feel special.
People have talked about the courage of Audrey’s daughter, Clair, and I was very sorry not to have been at the funeral. I was unable to be there. But I will tell you something: the legacy of Audrey Fagan lives on. Why? Because Clair was able to stand up there with the courage that her mother had—to do the job that she was called to do. Audrey left a legacy of caring and compassion, within her family and within her colleagues at the AFP. Audrey, you will not be easily forgotten.
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