Page 1539 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 31 March 2009
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Koomarri will continue. I think Koomarri will be stronger because there will be a determination there to make sure that the work of the last 12 years continues. And name any other organisation, particularly in the community sector, where the CEO has been there for 12 years and has been able to achieve, to keep it fresh and keep it moving in the way that Margaret has. I think you would be hard pressed.
With respect to a legacy, it is not that she would want it, that she would even think of it or countenance that somebody would say that Koomarri is her legacy, because she knows that Koomarri is a family and Koomarri is about people—those 400 families that make up Koomarri. I think what we will see out of Koomarri is something even better, because I think people will be inspired by the example of Margaret Spalding. I think people will ensure that this occurs. You need only to look at the board, under people like James Service, with the assistance of John Mackay and others. I am certain that the board will remain in place and will ensure that the good work that has been done over the 12 years of Margaret’s tenure there is not diminished.
To those of us that are left, we will always remember Margaret as our friend. I do not think anybody who knew Margaret did not come away thinking they were special for having met her.
MS PORTER (Ginninderra): I would like to join my fellow Assembly members in expressing my deep sorrow at the passing of Margaret Spalding OAM. First, I would like to apologise to Margaret’s family for not attending the memorial service, the celebration of her life, as I needed to chair the Scrutiny of Bills and Subordinate Legislation Committee meeting which was due to meet at 11.15 am yesterday.
I knew Margaret Spalding for over two decades through my work in the community sector and then more latterly as a member of this place. As well as knowing of the wonderful work that Margaret carried out in and for the community, and which the Chief Minister and others in this place have so well outlined, I also valued her personal friendship. Though not close, nonetheless it was one that I valued very much.
As we have heard from other people here this morning, all who met Margaret could not be anything other than immediately attracted to her love of life, her compassion, her loyalty and her understanding. I saw Margaret’s values in operation over and over in the way she related to her friends, her family members, her work colleagues, her community and others who were fortunate enough to get to know her. Margaret was one of those “can do” people—a “can do” person who knew that, if you wanted to get something done and you have the support of your community, you can get it done. And she did so, over and over again.
I extend my condolences to all those people who Margaret’s life has touched in some way, whether it be family, friends or through her community work. An American President once said that people who gave without seeking reward are like the stars in the sky—points of light shimmering in the dark. One of those lights has just gone out, but like a star that dies, we can see the light long after the source has left our sky. I think that Margaret Spalding will shine on through her legacy.
Question resolved in the affirmative, members standing in their places.
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