Page 5078 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 28 November 2017

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community. Steve is one of those people you always saw popping up at community events around the city when the rest of us were there as well.

As was noted in the recent debate, Steve was dedicated to representing his constituents—first those of Brindabella, where he was first elected in 2008, then those of Molonglo during the Eighth Assembly, and then those in Kurrajong. I have no doubt that no-one will ever equal Steve’s feat as the only MLA in the history of this place to represent a different electorate for three separate Assemblies in a row.

On behalf of Ms Le Couteur and the ACT Greens, I extend our sympathies and condolences to Steve’s wife Maureen, his family and friends, and also to our colleagues in the Liberal Party.

MS LAWDER (Brindabella) (10.13): Steve Doszpot was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was kind, gracious and inclusive; and, more than that, he was a community advocate. I would like to put on the record today a few comments from just some of the many organisations that he has assisted over the years:

COTA ACT extends their best wishes to Steve Doszpot’s family and friends following his passing. Steve was a great friend of COTA ACT and was a tireless advocate for older Canberrans since being elected to the Assembly in his capacity as an MLA and Shadow Minister for Seniors. Some of the important issues he has advocated on include age discrimination, the amenity of Canberra suburbs, and transport for older Canberrans.

On behalf of ACT Shelter I write to acknowledge and sincerely thank you, Steve, for what can only be described as a dedicated and outstanding contribution to civic and political life here in Canberra. Your office has assisted many of our members at various times during your tenure and I know a number of our members hold you in high regard. Your attendance at diverse community events and forums between, as well as in the lead-up to, ACT polls does not go unnoticed. We know the ACT is in many respects unique in the sense that we can genuinely vote for people as well as parties to represent us. In yourself, Steve, the people of Brindabella, and later Molonglo and Kurrajong, have indeed been fortunate to be represented by a committed representative and genuine community champion.

Brindabella Blues Football Club would like to pass on our condolences to the Doszpot family on the recent passing of Steve. The club was very saddened to hear of his passing, as he was a valued supporter of our club. Steve was a patron of our junior members for over five years and he was a frequent attendee at our annual presentation days and proudly handed out awards which we greatly appreciated. Steve was a valued and popular member in one of our masters playing squads before he retired and was always willing to help Brindabella Blues Football Club and our community wherever he could, for which we will be forever grateful.

When I visited Steve recently, all he spoke about was what a fortunate life he had had. He mentioned that it is not often you get to hear your own eulogies. He was referring to the debate we had here in October. But he said it was great to be reminded of the many organisations he had had the opportunity to assist.


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