Garth Hamilton (Groom, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Clive Armitage was a true gentleman, a great man and a good friend. Toowoomba came together to mourn his passing last week and to wrap the city's love around his wife, Conchita, their children, Heidi and Howard, and their families. Clive came to Australia in 1965 as a Ten Pound Pom, and, boy, did we get our money's worth. Together with Conchita he became one of the city's largest employers and one of our most prominent philanthropists.

Through his work with Rotary, with the Order of Saint John or directly, he supported so many people in our city. He supported big things, like the Queensland Museum Cobb+Co, the Queensland Ballet and, of course, The Empire Theatre, where his legacy is now forever celebrated at the Armitage Centre. He supported little things. Howard recalled a time when Clive bought a new pram for a new mother whose story of hardship he'd read in the Chronicle. He was a giver, and he blessed our city with his generosity.

His outstanding efforts in business and philanthropy are well known, but his impact on politics both locally and nationally was also immense. He brought the same conviction, dignity, decency and energy to political debate that won him acclaim elsewhere. He could hold his own with anyone from Jeff Kennett to Tony Abbott and the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton. He was a national mentor—the sort of guy who, when he put his hand on your shoulder, made you feel 10 feet tall, whether you were flipping burgers in one of his McDonald's stores or speaking here in parliament. He taught us that with kindness, courage and conviction anything can be achieved. It's those three values that I would like him to be remembered by. May he rest in peace.