Page 4214 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 24 October 2017
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Yarralumla. I spent many hours with “big brother” at Mawson, Gungahlin and Civic shops throughout the winter of 2012.
In the world of Hare-Clarke, where it is not easy to be friends with candidates even within your own party, Steve’s unwavering kindness to me as a newbie on the political scene is something that I will always remember. Not once did Steve try to protect his turf or not want anything but the best for me. Steve even very generously attended my campaign fundraiser and would always be open to campaigning together at the local shops. In a world where it can be all too easy to get jaded or let self-interest or political point scoring get the better of us, Steve’s heart remained the constant.
You do not have to look further than his tireless work in representing the victims of dog attacks and his advocacy on behalf of the boy in the cage. And who can forget Dozzie’s famous trivia nights, an initiative which started with his need and want to raise money for a customised wheelchair that grew into almost 10 years of generously raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for various Canberra charities and organisations which brought together over 600 trivia buffs each year to all dig deep.
Steve has set a high benchmark in my current portfolio of disability, and I acknowledge his work on producing the Love has its Limits report on the importance of respite care, an issue that is so relevant today. I know he has left me with big shoes to fill, and if I can make even half the impact that he made in the disabilities sector then I know that I will have done him proud.
One of the very first things we did when we were both elected as members for Kurrajong at the last election was to have a photo shoot down by the lake to release a calendar labelled “Your Liberals Kurrajong team”. Perhaps Steve had learnt from the lessons of having too many photographs with Ms Lawder, but at one point I am sure he was down on one knee and he remarked that for the passers-by it probably looked like a wedding shoot of a Canberra man and his new young bride. So he quickly rose to his feet at that point and there was no more touching on the photo. It was a privilege to be elected to be a member of Kurrajong with you, Steve.
Steve is a man of passion. With one year between them and a mutual love of football, Steve and my father got along from the moment they met on the 2012 campaign. Steve and New South Wales Deputy Premier John Barilaro were regular faces at Canberra’s Korean community organised football competitions. Steve would very graciously wear the outrageously over the top rosette ribbons and dutifully draw the raffles at these events. I know he had a particular soft spot not only for football but also for the raucous and passionate Canberra multicultural community. He was and is a dear friend to the Canberra Korean community, some of whom are here today.
Steve has always been there to take on the issues that others could or would not pursue: the revamp of the grass at Kingston square, the unheard voices of the residents of Oaks Estate, the numerous issues that face Manuka traders, and the concerns of residents over the Yarralumla brickworks. All these people knew that Steve was their man.
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