Page 2426 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 2 August 2017
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was conducted by the Reverend Lynda McMinn, various other clergy and the AFP’s Reverend Gayl Mills. During the service, we turned our minds to those who are missing, to those who love them and to those who search for them. We continue to keep these people in mind throughout Missing Persons Week and throughout their struggle.
Missing Persons Week has had many different themes over the years, including in 2000 “If you’re missing, someone is missing you”; in 2002 “Find a way to say you’re OK”; in 2005 “Talk, please, don’t walk”; and in 2009 “Not knowing is like living in darkness”. This year’s theme is “Still waiting for you to come home”. These themes highlight the many different factors at play when a person goes missing.
Of course there is concern for the missing person. Are they alive? Are they safe? Are they mentally well? While many missing persons do come back eventually, the concern for their lives is phenomenal. There is concern for their family and friends. They are living through a life of uncertainty. When a loved one goes missing, many more than one person’s happiness is lost.
We must also think about those who search for them. I offer my thanks to our police personnel, who work tirelessly to find missing Canberrans, and to the many volunteers and community members who devote their time to help find a missing person. My heart goes out to all those suffering and to the communities who support those affected by missing persons, when most people do not know what that is like. You are all in my prayers this week.
This Missing Persons Week, I encourage all people to keep an eye out for and to keep in your thoughts those who are lost and those who are suffering from loss. I also encourage everyone to thank the many people who have devoted themselves to finding missing persons. I hope that by the next Missing Persons Week fewer people will be suffering from missing a loved one.
Mrs Joan Mary Kellett OAM
MS LAWDER (Brindabella) (6.32): I rise today to inform the Assembly about the recent passing, on 20 June this year, of a fine Canberran, Joan Mary Kellett OAM. When I read of Joan’s passing, I thought it important to share a little about her. Joan’s obituary describes her as “a loved and loving mother, grandmother, aunt and a special and good friend”. Joan’s obituary goes on to say that Joan was passionate about her home, Canberra, contributing significantly to the community. Joan’s impact on Canberra was so significant that she featured in a number of different media appearances.
On the ABC program Stateline a few years ago, Joan spoke of coming to Canberra in 1960 when Canberra still had that country town feel. Joan and her husband, Harry, moved to Dickson. The closest shops were in Ainslie. Describing her experience, Joan said, “There was no Dickson. Everything was delivered to your door. The greengrocer, the dry cleaner, the butcher, the baker all came to the street. Everybody would come
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