Jill Hall (Shortland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence: my contribution will be very brief. I would like to associate myself with the comments that have been made by all speakers in this discussion and acknowledge the outstanding person that Jimmy Little was and the role that he played within our society here in Australia—a great entertainer, a person who worked tirelessly within his community, a role model for all Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. I think our society will be a poorer place for his passing.

He was recognised in so many different theatres for the work that he did as an entertainer. When I was a young girl living in a country town in northern New South Wales I actually saw him perform, and I thought it was one of the most exciting events that I had been privileged to see. It is not only the work he did as a singer, songwriter and entertainer but all the other work and all the recognition that he received, from being Senior Australian of the Year to being a person who is highly thought of within his own community and within the wider Australian community. With those few words, I conclude my contribution.

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