Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Hansard source

Before I put the motion that the Senate do now adjourn, I wish to advise the Senate that a significant servant of the parliament is retiring tomorrow after serving us all, in a literal sense, for 21 years. Of course I refer to Ms Kate Robertson, who joined the then Parliamentary Refreshment Rooms in the provisional Parliament House in 1986. There are very few of us here left that may remember the service that she gave us in the Old Parliament House. She moved up here to help us establish the dining room in this building and has been a constant presence in the members and guests dining room since 1988. Kate was awarded the 2001 Centenary Medal in recognition of her exemplary service to the parliament of Australia. I think we all know what day of the week it is when we go to the dining room—particularly the members dining room—because Monday is bangers and mash, Tuesday is shepherd’s pie, and Wednesday and Thursday are mixed grill. Kate reminds us all of that and she acts as a mother hen to all of us to ensure that we look after our eating habits correctly. On behalf of all honourable senators, I take this opportunity to record our very sincere appreciation to Ms Kate Robertson for her contribution to the parliament and particularly for her readiness to give us all our culinary preferences and her friendship as well. Well done, Kate; farewell and good luck.