Page 3538 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 20 November 2007
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She was a woman who took the responsibility of leadership and mentoring very seriously. The Chief Minister spoke about her laugh and her calm and caring manner. The public sector is filled with people who have experienced, in one way or another, Judith’s graciously given support. In the stories we have heard about Judith, it is clear that for three decades she supported and mentored those around her on a daily basis. She was a prominent and effective female leader. She provided an important role model for the female leaders who will follow her. You cannot underestimate the influence that strong leaders play as mentors to their workforce.
Something that strikes me about Judith as a public servant was the way she encouraged people to reach beyond their limitations. She had a knack of giving opportunities to people to learn to do something new and to take on a challenge—and to give support, when required. This is one of the intrinsic qualities of a mentor and a leader. I think that Judith herself would be somewhat uncomfortable with this description, and quick to remind us that she was but a cog in the wheels of government. There is no doubt that she kept the wheels of government moving, and contributed to the ACT as a self-governing community. Importantly, though, she showed her skill as a public servant in ensuring that her team members had the opportunity to understand why their commitment was valued and why they must always strive to do not only their best but the best for the community.
Judith worked hard, but always had time to provide some crucial piece of advice to her colleagues, to give a sound perspective that often made all the difference, and to enjoy their company. It was not her style to rattle cages, but if Judith had a particular outcome in mind, it could be well argued, and it was hard to deny the sense of her proposal.
I stand today to pay tribute to Judith. She was a woman who relished the opportunity to make a difference, whether it was in the lives of senior Canberrans through the Office for Ageing, in the way we support refugees or in the support of her ministers. For all of this, her outstanding legacy is as someone who lived the values of leadership in every action, and who remains an example to us all.
An unexpected death at a young age is in one way harder to come to terms with than one where there is warning. There are no goodbyes, and no chance to reminisce or to share memories. I say to Judith’s family, who are with us today, that I hope our words today and over the past weeks demonstrate to you that Judith was loved and respected in her working life as much as I know she was in her family life. Canberra is poorer for the loss of Judith but much richer for the contribution she made to the lives of people she touched, and her contribution to the public sector will be ongoing.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs): I rise to add my voice to that of the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in saluting the life of Judith Therkelsen.
Everything that has been said thus far about Judith’s contribution to the community and the public service has been absolutely spot on the money. I wish to add my
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