Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On 8 December last year, the world lost the wonderful Bill Burford, a great bloke who made a significant contribution to the St Vincent de Paul Society in the Northern Territory for more than 20 years. A faith-filled Catholic man, he was the NT president of Vinnie's from 2002 to 2008, but he remained on the council after that and is remembered for working hard to heal divisions when they occurred. He was a valued voice, he was wise and he was a mentor to many. Our deepest condolences to Mary, their six children and their grandchildren.

I also want to pay my respects to the Reverend Canon Pat Williams, who died this month at age 88 after 50 years of service to the Anglican Church. She's been described as a living saint and an all-round wonderful person. She was one of the first women to be ordained a deacon and then a priest in the Anglican Church in the Northern Territory. Condolences to Pat's family as well.

Bill Burford and Pat Williams lived out the words of the gospel in their deeds, in their actions and in their good works. They are sorely missed by our community. They did so much for our community. May they rest in eternal peace.

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