Warren Snowdon (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia and Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I was wondering whether you were aware that, during our winter recess, a worker of 31 years standing in this parliament will be retiring: Diane Hawke from the Parliamentary Library.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Lingiari. I am aware that Ms Diane Hawke retires this week after 32 years of service to the Parliamentary Library. During those years she has been the face of the library at the front desk. She has assisted senators and members by sending out information from the library’s diverse collections and elsewhere. She has provided a wonderful service. Her commitment to meeting the demands of parliamentarians for very rapid delivery of information has been outstanding. Her enthusiasm and positive outlook have benefited all who worked with her and brightened the day for many of the library’s clients. She has also been an active contributor to the social life of the library and the parliament through membership on social committees and other groups. On behalf of all the parliament I wish Diane Hawke very well in her new challenges.

Honourable Members:

Hear, hear!

Warren Snowdon (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia and Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on indulgence, I would like to endorse your remarks and say that I have known Diane Hawke, who is up in the gallery now, for close on 35 or 36 years. Diane followed a rugby team that I played for, St Christopher’s, which is just down the road.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Warren Snowdon (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia and Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

She was never disappointed with the rugby! And there she met her later husband, Edward, a fine gentlemen who unfortunately passed away in 1991. She has been an ornament to this place. She is a great family person and a great contributor to our community. On my own behalf and on behalf of my family I wish her all the best.

Honourable Members:

Hear, hear!