Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on a matter that is close to my heart: the recognition of three remarkable individuals who have been awarded life membership in the Australian Labor Party's Tasmanian branch. They are Lyn Taylor, Betty Pilgrim and Bill Lowe. Life membership is the highest honour given to those that have shown unwavering loyalty and distinguished service to the party over many years. These are individuals whose commitment, service and dedication to the Labor cause have left a lasting impact on our party and the communities they serve.

Let me begin by acknowledging Lyn Taylor. Lyn's journey within the Labor Party began in 1970 as a young, passionate nurse driven by her vision for an egalitarian society. Throughout her years of service, Lyn's advocacy on mental health reform, women's rights, Indigenous rights and anti-war efforts have been both tireless and inspiring. Moving to Tasmania in 1982, she has remained deeply engaged in the Labor movement and has made invaluable contributions to the Health & Community Services Union. Lyn's activism is rooted in a belief that 'there are no jobs on a dead planet'. Highlighting her lifelong commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development, Lyn's story is one of an unwavering dedication to the Labor Party and its values. She has never sought recognition for herself but has worked tirelessly for the collective good. Today we pay tribute to Lyn's profound impact and the sacrifices she has made for the betterment of Tasmania and the Labor movement.

Next I turn to the extraordinary service of Betty Pilgrim. Betty's journey with the Labor Party began in the 1960s in Launceston. From that time on, she has been a dedicated advocate for our core values of social justice, equality, and fairness. Whether working for Lance Barnard's office in Launceston   , serving during the historic Whitlam years in Canberra or volunteering her time and effort across various states, Betty has remained a stalwart supporter of Labor. Even after her retirement, she continued to work with devotion in both my office and Dick Adams's office. Betty is a shining example of what it means to be a member of the Australian Labor Party. Her passion, her resilience and her tireless advocacy for a better Australia have left an impactful mark on our party and its legacy.

Finally, I must acknowledge Bill Lowe, a long-serving member of the Burnie branch of the ALP. Bill's four decades of service to the Labor Party have been nothing short of extraordinary. He has held almost every position within his branch, from branch secretary to campaign coordinator, and has played a crucial role in state and federal election campaigns. Beyond his political contribution, Bill's commitment extends to his involvement with the Australian Workers' Union and grassroots football in the Darwin Football Association. Bill's dual life memberships with both the ALP and the AWU are a rare and significant achievement, underscoring his deep commitment to the Labor movement and the broader Tasmanian community. Interestingly, Bill's AWU life membership was also presented by Minister Bill Shorten.

The contributions of Lyn, Betty and Bill attest to the strength of our Labor Party, built on the dedication of individuals who believe in a fairer, more just society. It was my honour to host the ceremony where these incredible members, Betty and Bill, were presented with their life memberships by Minister Bill Shorten and state Labor leader Dean Winter, and where Lyn Taylor was given the opportunity to speak to her life membership. The ceremony was a wonderful occasion where the ALP came together to honour and celebrate our life members. I'd like to sincerely thank Minister Shorten for doing the honours and joining us for this important event. The ALP owes each of these life members a debt of gratitude for the years of service. Again, congratulations to Lyn, Betty and Bill.