Page 8 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 9 February 2010
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MR HANSON (Molonglo): I welcome Judy and David; it is lovely to have you here today for this condolence motion. It is a great honour to speak in memory of Marjorie Turbayne, who was a quite remarkable Australian and citizen of our city. Mr Stanhope, Mr Seselja, Mr Smyth and Ms Hunter have outlined the service that she gave and what a remarkable woman she was, with many stories of service.
We heard many other stories at her memorial service late last year. It was clear at that memorial service that she had passed on much of her spirit to the following generations. The words spoken by her family, particularly her grandchildren, really showed that none of that spirit had been lost in her family, and that is a great thing to see. It was also good to see that the service was attended by an ex-Governor-General, an ex-Prime Minister and many prominent Canberrans, in great respect for this wonderful woman.
I have a small anecdote to tell. In early 2008, when I put my hand up to become a candidate for the Liberal Party, I was told that I had to have a form signed with 10 signatures on it from Liberal Party members. I am not sure that at that stage I even knew 10 members of the Liberal Party. I was told, “It doesn’t matter, because, if you get Marjorie Turbayne to sign at No 1, no-one else will dare not sign that form.”
I was taken out to see Marjorie at her house in Mugga Way. To be honest, I was quite nervous. Her reputation preceded her and, rightly, it should have. She certainly had an aura about her and a piercing intelligence. Although her body was by then frail, it was quite clear that her intellect had not lost anything of its razor sharpness. She, gladly, did sign that form for me, and I then went on and I find myself here today remembering her great service to the nation.
Her life is full of many more impressive anecdotes than that one, many rich stories, and it is a life of great service to women, to the nation and to Canberra.
MR COE (Ginninderra): I rise this morning to pay my respect to a proud Australian and Canberran and a lady proud of her English heritage. Mrs Marjorie Turbayne AO, MBE was a lady that all who knew her dubbed her with respect and admiration. Her story is one that captures the Australian values of working hard, a strong sense of service and a commitment to family and faith. As has already been said by other members this morning, Mrs Turbayne has a remarkable story and one that spans many decades, countries and interests.
Whilst it is impossible to articulate the vast legacy she has left, her service to the nation through her advocacy for the celebration of our national day through her membership of the National Australia Day Council is very special. Her work as general manager of the National Press Club is also held in very high regard. In addition, she also supported the Red Cross; the Royal Flying Doctor Service; the Australiana Fund; the National Opera Festival; St Paul’s Anglican Church, Manuka; the Australia-Britain Society; and many other organisations.
In 1989 Mrs Turbayne was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community. In the 1999 new year’s honours, she was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire. In London Gazette 55354 it was announced that she
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