Page 14 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 16 February 1993
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But perhaps it would be more appropriate simply to remember this great man as he might have liked: To remember him not for his titles and awards, but simply as a bloody good bloke, a bloke who saw injustice and inequity and tried to right it, who saw life as an opportunity to contribute to the common good.
Professor Hollows is survived by his widow, Gabi, and by seven children. Those children are 25-year-old daughter Tanya, 17-year-old Ben, twin daughters Ruth and Rosa, who will turn three in a fortnight's time, 10-year-old son Cam, eight-year-old daughter Emma, and five-year-old Anna-Louise. To the family, Madam Speaker, our hearts reach out. While a great sorrow is felt by all Australians and other people of many nations, theirs is an intensely personal loss. To his widow, Gabi, and his children I offer sympathy and gratitude for the life of this remarkable achiever.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition): Madam Speaker, I think Jack Waterford of the Canberra Times had it right when he said that Fred Hollows was a very Australian hero, egalitarian, not remote, a bit of a larrikin, but a professional. That is some accolade since he was in fact born a New Zealander, and I think Fred Hollows would have seen that as a tribute to his achievements in his lifetime. He set about addressing the concerns of the disadvantaged people of the world, whether they were in Eritrea or whether they were original Australians, and he did that in a very personal way. He had a personal commitment to that work. He was a great surgeon, a scientist, a teacher, a thinker, a tireless worker for the underprivileged.
During his lifetime he was recognised at home as Australian of the Year and also by the award of companion in the Order of Australia. As the Chief Minister said, it would be most appropriate if he were to be recognised through a recommendation as a candidate for a Nobel Prize. To sum up, Fred Hollows was a true Australian, and the Opposition joins the Government in this motion of condolence to his wife and children, whose deep sense of loss we share.
Question resolved in the affirmative, members standing in their places.
DEATH OF MS O. BROWN
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move:
That the Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of Ms Olive Brown, who made a significant contribution to the Aboriginal community in the Australian Capital Territory, and tenders its profound sympathy to her family in their bereavement.
Olive Brown was a tireless worker who made an invaluable contribution to the ACT community through her work for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. Olive Brown was one of those rare individuals who can quickly gain a reputation as people who can always help in a time of need. In fewer than six years in Canberra she became known throughout the ACT Government, particularly in the areas of health and community services, as a person with enormous commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She became known as a person with a good understanding of the needs and issues facing her people and as a person with the energy and the ability to make things happen.
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