John Murphy (Reid, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

She had an F sharp? I could believe that because her voice was absolutely extraordinary. I think it is wonderful that, all those years ago, the Labor government gave her the recognition she so deserved by opening the Dame Joan Sutherland Centre in Penrith. The Labor party has had many a launch of its state and federal campaigns there and there have been some incredible musical events. She will be remembered out in Sydney’s west but she will always be remembered in Sydney, across Australia and internationally with the theatre at the Sydney Opera House, which is to be named after her. That is a decision taken by Premier Keneally and I applaud her for that.

It was a great privilege to hear Dame Joan sing. It was a great honour for me to meet her with my music teacher who was studying at the conservatorium, as I said earlier, in the 50s. But for him I would not have had that opportunity because she did not often get the chance to sing in Australia. The demands of Europe, North America and South America, where she sang so much, did not give her the opportunity to come back to Australia as often as she would have liked, I am sure, to perform. I want to thank her for all the joy and happiness that she has given to me and so many Australians and to so many people internationally. Vale, Dame Joan. Vale, La Stupenda.

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