Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Cities and Urban Infrastructure) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to remember two constituents—two good friends of mine—who made extraordinary contributions to community life and deserve to be remembered in this place. I am proud to have known John Pathinathan and Donato Polvere, and to have been associated with them and been able to witness the profound difference they made to their community and the Australian Labor Party. I am in their debt, and so are, I know, many others.

When I think about Donato's contribution to the Italian community in Melbourne's northern suburbs, including in particular La Festa di San Donato, I'm in awe of what he gave to a community and what he meant to so many. I can't do justice now to his contribution and the lives it impacted, but I want everyone who was close to Donato to know how well he was thought of in a community that meant so much to him. Vale, Donato.

John Pathinathan was a dear friend who gave so much to the Tamil community, to the Catholic Church, to the Australian Labor Party and to Melbourne's northern suburbs. He was always there with advice for me and my colleagues on any number of policy matters. He lived a life that was characterised by selflessness and generosity. To all in his family and to all who knew him, I say, vale, rest in peace.