Joan Child, Labor MP and Speaker of the House of Representatives, takes her seat in chamber of federal Parliament House in Canberra in an undated image from 1987. Pic National Archives. Source: Herald Sun
MOURNERS are pouring in to pay their tributes to Joan Child at her state funeral in Melbourne today.
As the congregation awaited the arrival of Prime Minister Julie Gillard and Governor-General Quentin Bryce, a photographic collage of Ms Child's life rotated on a big screen at the service, held at Monash University's Religious Centre at its Clayton campus.
As a hushed crowd reflected on images that captured Ms Child's enormous contribution to Australia's political landscape, songs from eras gone by such as Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues and Elvis Presley's Blue Suede Shoes.
Labor Party representatives have also gathered for the 11am memorial, including former premier John Brumby and State Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews.
Last week Prime Minister Julia Gillard paid tribute to Ms Child, saying she was deeply saddened by her death and she would remain a source of inspiration.
"With Joan Child's passing, Australia has lost one of its pioneering female political leaders, and I have lost a role model," Ms Gillard said.
Ms Child was elected to the Melbourne seat of Henty in 1974, when she became the first female Labor member of the House of Representatives and only the fourth woman ever elected to the House.
Until the election of Labor's Anna Burke last October, Ms Child had been the only female Speaker.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét