Gai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today, I pay tribute to the late Jim Murphy, a much loved man with a zest for life, who reminded all Canberrans 'to enjoy the good times'. Jim was a man who was a passionate about his Catholic faith, passionate about helping people, passionate about the Canberra community and passionate about his sport. He made an enormous contribution to the Canberra community through his work with local charities, particularly his tireless support of Open Family, a charity aimed at helping to improve the lives of homeless people. A successful businessman, Jim spent 30 years building his business from humble beginnings, distributing wine from a shed. As a result, he was a strong supporter of local business and spent five years as chairman of CanTrade, working to bring business to the ACT and region, as well as overseeing a project to create over 1,000 jobs for unemployed youth. He was also instrumental in promoting our local wine industry through his contacts across Australia and around the world. Jim was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2003 for his service to the business and community sectors and to the wine industry.

The largest cathedral in Canberra, St Christopher's in Manuka, was not big enough to hold the hundreds of mourners who turned up to farewell Jim. Canberrans of all backgrounds overflowed into the streets to pay tribute to Jim and the service concluded with his beloved Canberra Raiders forming a guard of honour as his casket was carried from the church. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and sons, Damien and Adrien, who loved him dearly and will miss him. Vale, Jim Murphy, you will be sorely missed by the community you loved so much.