David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

As members would be aware, one of our longest serving staff members, Kate Robertson, is retiring after 21 years. Kate started with the parliamentary catering service in 1986 at Old Parliament House, in the staff dining room, before moving into the members and guests bar. Kate was one of six staff who were sent to work on the opening of the new Parliament House in 1988, and she worked on the first ever function held here at the new Parliament House, in the post office gallery area.

Kate has worked in many parts of our house. She started up here in the staff dining room, where she saw the queues on budget day 1988 stretching from the staff dining room to the members hall. From the staff dining room, Kate managed the Queen’s Terrace Cafe for two years before moving up into the members dining room and has been affectionately mothering the members ever since, being a part of our lives, a good friend and a confidante for many. I am told that Kate will dearly miss keeping us in line!

On behalf of all members, thank you, Kate. You will be greatly missed and I wish you, your husband, Ian, and all your family all the best.

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