Julie Owens (Parramatta, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Friday    was a very sad day for many members of the close-knit Granville community with the passing of Warren Fox, a well-known and respected Granville identity. Warren was known for his quick wit and love for his local community. He came from a family with deep, lasting connections to Granville. Warren had a love of punting that he shared with his close friends the Parkes family, most notably Larry, Blocka and Charles. Their discussions about the merits of the horses running each Saturday were often loud but based on a keen knowledge of the sport. He also had a passion for local history and painting; but he was best known for his care and attention to those he considered his seniors, helping less mobile residents with their shopping and daily tasks.

I first met Warren many years ago through his membership of the Granville central branch of the Labor Party. He joined in 1970 and was awarded life membership in 2011—not that you would know from speaking to him; he was remarkably modest. I am honoured to have enjoyed his support and have the benefit of his advice and assistance during campaigns and on issues that spiked his interest. Warren had a keen sense for hypocrisy and would waste no time in pointing out the facts as he saw them. He was a frequent caller to talkback radio, frequently calling in to Alan Jones and Ray Hadley. Unsurprisingly they did not always agree, but Warren was treated with and showed respect and manners reminiscent of another time. Warren will be sadly missed by his family and friends and those in the local backyard who loved him. I will also miss him dearly.