Luke Simpkins (Cowan, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The incorporated speech read as follows

I rise today to speak of the untimely and sad death on Saturday 22 November 2008 of the Mayor of the City of Swan, Mr Charlie Gregorini AM JP.

Charlie Gregorini lived in Swan View in Perth for 38 years.  He has been a fine servant of the people of the City of Swan, and it was right and appropriate that he was a recipient of the Order of Australia and Centenary Medal for his service to local government.  I note that he was also Chairman of the Western Australian Grants Commission.

Friends and adversaries alike will recall his strong advocacy for the people of Swan and will rightly attribute a number of successes to his representation.  He served first on the Shire and then the City of Swan’s elected council since 1977, and was a long serving Mayor.

I remember that earlier this year Charlie, the Deputy Mayor Mel Congerton and the CEO Mike Foley were in Canberra to engage with Ministers and shadow ministers alike.  I recall that a number of our shadow ministers commented to me on the way Charlie and the City of Swan team conducted themselves.  They were well prepared, well armed with the facts and figures, and argued strongly for the people of the City of Swan.  There is no doubt that Charlie Gregorini’s leadership will long be remembered and appreciated.

While I am confident that in the future, the City of Swan will appropriately recognise Charlie Gregorini’s contribution, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to a great West Australian, a great Mayor of the City of Swan and a great man, who will long be remembered for his dedication to the people of Swan and to his family.  My condolences to Charlie’s wife Sandra, his five children and three grandchildren.

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