Page 586 - Week 02 - Thursday, 18 February 2016
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Within 10 years of coming to Australia, Mary graduated as a nurse. A few years later she got her midwifery ticket. Mary and I share that professional experience—we both are nurses. Mary has not only served urban and city-based communities but spent a number of years working with the most isolated and disadvantaged in our community, our remote Aboriginal communities. That is a tough gig and it is only embarked on by those of a firm heart and a big heart. The fact that Mary did it and did it for such a number of years is testament to her big and strong heart.
In 1979 Mary moved to Canberra for a change of career. After a number of years in the Northern Territory I can empathise with that. She came here and had a career working for the then member for Canberra, Ros Kelly. We heard in caucus this morning that towards the end of that time there was a trip to Tumut for some matter—racehorses and racecourses come to mind, but there also could have been other activities in the beautiful town of Tumut. That reflects again Mary’s long-held passion in racecourses.
Much has been said about Mary’s achievements—the fact that she and other strong women in our community have effectively created one of the largest community organisations, Communities@ Work, and Volunteering ACT. Again it is a testament to her strength of will and her absolute commitment to our community.
As has been said here, Mary also brought in the retirement village legislation here in the ACT, and no-one, particularly this week, could not understand and appreciate Mary’s absolute commitment to have the conversation around end-of-life issues. There is one para from a report that she has put out; this is from Mary:
And this is a conversation that needs to take place in the community as part of life and not as part of death. It is a difficult conversation. However, as said to me during my last interview with a leading retired cardiologist in Belgium, “Have courage.” I believe we all need to have courage and face this debate fairly and squarely once and for all.
A legacy of Mary for this place is that now and in the months and years to come we should have that courage—take courage from Mary—and have that discussion in here and in the community.
The other thing Mary said—and this speaks much to her character—is that this is all about people joining together, taking an idea, working together and making it a reality for the benefit of all. That has been Mary’s approach to her life, to her commitment to this place and her commitment to the Assembly.
As she moves to Lake Macquarie, whilst directorates, particularly TAMS, may have some relief, let’s have a thought for the local member of Lake Macquarie. How many letters perhaps will Ms Porter write to the local member or, indeed, the local paper? The pen of Ian de Landelles will not be idle for too long, I imagine.
Mary, I wish you well. Absolutely you will be remembered with fondness and kindness and for your commitment. When I came back from Christmas leave and Mary hosted a small gathering in her office, I tried to describe how life was at the
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