Page 103 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 15 February 2011
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Howard was a great fellow. He was a great Canberran. He was a great family man. He was a life member of Lions. Howard was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to Lions internationally and to the community.
Ms Pauline Lynga
MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Convenor, ACT Greens) (5.31): I would like to bring to the attention of the Assembly today the passing of a passionate and active Canberran, Pauline Lynga, and I offer this as a celebration of a life well lived. Pauline was born in Kandos, New South Wales. She trained and worked as a midwife in her young adult life. She was privileged to have welcomed many Canberrans into the world here in the 1950s.
Pauline was very fond of the outdoors, and it was as a member of the Canberra Alpine Club that she met her husband of close to 50 years, Gosta Lynga, and I would like to acknowledge Gosta’s presence in the public gallery today. Gosta was a Swedish astronomer. Gosta and Pauline spent a number of years in Sweden where Gosta was a Green member of parliament. They raised three daughters, Ann, Ellen and Claire, with Claire being born in Canberra. In their early years the family lived at Mount Stromlo.
Pauline’s love of the outdoors and passion for preserving the environment continued as a member of the Cooleman Ridge park care group. Pauline and Gosta were founding members of the Canberra Bushwalking Club, a group celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Pauline devoted much time, until most recently, as a volunteer
bush regenerator. She lovingly tended to a part of Cooleman Ridge, tending and nurturing native vegetation and helping it thrive against the threat from exotic weeds.
Pauline balanced her physical pursuits with a love of learning. She was an avid reader and had a thirst for knowledge. This developed not only an interest in but a keen understanding of global environmental issues and politics. Pauline was a well-regarded member of the Canberra Spinners and Weavers. Her work was highly crafted and was rewarded with numerous prizes.
Pauline and Gosta were one of the unlucky Canberra families to lose their Duffy home in January 2003. Ever positive and pragmatic, although mourning their loss, they took steps to rebuild on their block a new and better home. This was something I found particularly special, that resilience and energy even in later years.
Pauline died on 17 January this year after a short illness. Her family never left her side, an example of the close bond she created and the loving family environment she and Gosta enjoyed.
While this speech mourns her passing and acknowledges the loss to her family and friends, it marks a life filled with action and good deeds, thoughts and insight, a life of family love and community service rich and inspiring. Pauline was a woman to be remembered and honoured.
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