Page 3930 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 23 November 1993
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Margaret Timpson was a good friend of the ACT Government under both Labor and Alliance administrations. She served as a member of the pre-self-government ACT Women's Consultative Committee and its replacement, the ACT Women's Consultative Council. Her commitment to employment issues was reflected in her work as the chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Council on ACT Employment which preceded the Economic Priorities Advisory Committee of the ACT. In 1990 Margaret was selected as the inaugural ACT Woman of the Year for her impressive record of work towards improving the status of women, both in the ACT and nationally.
Her particular areas of interest included women's health, women's participation in sport, education for girls, and providing more opportunities for women to realise their full potential. Margaret often said, "For too long women of Australia have not been able to reach their full potential". During her term as ACT Woman of the Year, Margaret worked tirelessly, encouraging young women in particular to broaden their horizons. She set a high standard for this award. In her final report to the ACT Government at the end of her term she wrote:
I am proud to have served this wonderful Territory in this way and hope that there has been some benefit to the women and the community generally.
Margie Timpson, wife of Chris and mother of Mel, who are both here in the chamber today, an activist and a friend of many, made an invaluable contribution to the ACT. In recognition of this, the Government has decided to commemorate her work by naming after her a park in Belconnen where she worked and lived. In addition, we will establish the Margaret Timpson Sports Award to encourage a young woman each year to remain an active participant in sporting activities. The award will cover costs such as coaching, equipment and some travel. Madam Speaker, I believe that it is fitting for an active woman to be acknowledged and remembered in such an active way. On behalf of all Government members, I offer my sincere condolences to Chris and to Mel, and to all those who have lost a wonderful friend. Margaret will be greatly missed but her achievements will not be forgotten.
MR KAINE: Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I join with the Chief Minister in this motion of condolence. Margaret Timpson's premature death is, I believe, a great loss to this community. The Chief Minister has outlined Margaret's achievements, and I think that to most of us they are well known. Margaret will be remembered by a great many people for the enthusiasm and the integrity that she brought to everything that she undertook to do. She did a great deal for this Territory, as the Chief Minister has noted. There are many people in this community who will remember Margaret fondly; they will remember the things that she did for this community.
I feel the loss quite personally and quite strongly because Margaret Timpson was a very special person. She had a quality of involvement, and that extended to her friendships as well as to everything else that she was associated with. I believe that my life was enriched by having her pass briefly through it. I must say that I am quite proud of the fact that I was able to appoint Margaret Timpson as the first ACT Woman of the Year. I think she was a most deserving person. She added a dimension to that office which future holders will find it difficult to match.
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