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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 9 Hansard (27 August) . . Page.. 3322 ..

MS GALLAGHER (continuing):

Narelle worked as a teacher and principal at Red Hill, Turner, Narrabundah, Florey and Miles Franklin primary schools. She was also instrumental in developing a number of very successful Canberra schools, such as Miles Franklin, Florey and the Gold Creek joint facility. She fostered the instrumental music program in many ACT schools and has watched plenty of young talented students benefit from this program.

In 1993 Narelle was appointed Director (Schools). Her experience, dedication and warmth have made her a much-loved and respected educational leader. Narelle has also been heavily involved with the development and promotion of the international student program.

I was lucky enough to attend Narelle's farewell and retirement drinks last Friday, where several hundred people crammed into Ainslie School to pay their respects to an incredible woman. Speakers paying tribute included principals from primary schools, high schools and colleges and the Director of the School of Music. There was also an address from the Chief Executive of Education, Youth and Family Services, Fran Hinton. Speakers all spoke of a woman with tireless energy-she only had four days off in 41 years-with enormous commitment to public education.

Narelle Hargreaves' contribution to ACT education will remain with us always. She was a leader, a mentor and a friend to many. At the end of the day, she was a great teacher and a person who never lost sight of the fact that it was all about the children. On behalf of the ACT government, I acknowledge Ms Hargreaves' contribution to ACT education and to the countless individual students and her colleagues. I wish her and her husband all the best in her retirement.

Death of Mr Vince Kalokerinos

MRS CROSS (6.44): I rise to pay tribute to Mr Vince Kalokerinos. I know Mr Smyth paid tribute to him last night, but I attended his funeral today. Mr Kalokerinos was not only a husband and father, and a friend to many thousands of people in the ACT, but a good Canberra citizen, of Greek origin, who ran a very successful business.

It was a big shock to me when I learned of his death yesterday. The passing of someone is always very sad, particularly when it is someone as special as Vince. He was extremely loved by members of not only the Greek community but also the broader community, for his generosity, kindness, tact and intellect-but mostly for his big heart.

My husband and I came to Canberra 10 years ago, and we met Vince shortly after we arrived. One of the things that struck David about Vince was his great command and understanding of literature. Most people assume that people who run businesses, especially fish and chip shops-or "mixed businesses", as they used to call them-are not very well-read people. They think they go into those businesses because they either come from a labour background or they are uneducated. Indeed, that was not the case.

Vince was not only very well read; he also made an impression on many people in this community- from labourers to scholars to people in all professions. He produced three fine children: a daughter and two sons, one of whom became a lawyer. I see him doing great things in the public arena one day.

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