Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is with great sadness that I rise today to pay tribute to a wonderful friend and community leader from Deakin, Councillor Ann Fraser, who, sadly, passed away just a few weeks ago. Anyone in my electorate who had the pleasure of meeting or working with Ann will know what I mean when I say that she set the gold standard for all of us in public life. Ann worked tirelessly and selflessly for our community, helping countless people over four decades, without any thought of reward or recognition.

She served as a councillor for 12 years, at the former City of Ringwood and then at the Maroondah City Council. As a councillor, Ann made immeasurable contributions, particularly in the areas of transport and road safety, as she also operated a local driving school.

Ann embodied the spirit of volunteerism and she gave her time and energy to schools, churches and community groups such as Meals on Wheels, the Ringwood Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Red Cross and the Country Women's Association. In recognition of her lifetime's work, I was honoured to name Ann the overall winner of the 2014 Deakin Community Awards in July, which I know gave Ann immense pleasure.

Our thoughts continue to be with Ann's husband, Colin, and their family.