PIERSON, MARGARET

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Gambling) (15:34): Monday, as everyone in this chamber is aware, is Pink Ribbon Day. Amongst other things, it is a process by which people show their support to fund quality research and support to women suffering from breast cancer. Today, I was fortunate enough to be granted a pair to attend the funeral of a very dear friend of mine who, four years ago, was diagnosed with cancer. She was a constituent of mine but, more importantly, she and her husband are very dear friends. I first met Margaret Curnow, as she was then, over 30 years ago when we were still together at school. To Annabel and I, and to many other friends, Margaret was Margie or Marg. She grew up in her family home at Fulham, the daughter of Tom and Bib and the older sister of Helen. As I said, she has been a dear and lifelong friend. Four years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and, since that time, she has put up the most amazing, tough, uncompromising, courageous and dignified battle against what we all know in this chamber is such an indiscriminate and insidious disease.

Margie was married to Andrew, and they have two most beautiful children—Matthew, who is about 19, and Melissa, who is a few years older. They are very popular people within the community I represent. Andrew and Margie have remained together since they first started trotting out together some 30 years ago when, as I said, we were all at school. At 5 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, Margie passed away after a fight that was an example to everyone who provided her with support throughout her illness; in fact, she set an example of how to conduct yourself when confronted with such an illness.

I remember that, not long after she was first diagnosed—in fact, it was probably a little after she had started her second round of treatment and the cancer had extended—I asked her, 'What's going to happen, Margie?' She said, 'Well, Paul, I'm going to die.' It was an inevitable outcome, and she was matter-of-fact about it, but what she did say was, 'I'm not going to die until such time as I have seen my kids grow up.' She has two amazingly talented and gifted children who are a credit to her.

Another thing I mentioned to her, and I certainly mentioned to Andrew, her husband, a good friend of mine and a very significant man within our community at Henley Beach, that had it been he or I who had been confronted with the same illness as Margie, there is no doubt that we would have both been dead some time ago. She was, without doubt, one of the toughest women I have ever known. She has instilled that toughness into her children.

Throughout her trials, she set an example to others. It was her attitude to life and her attitude to fighting this insidious disease that set an example to so many people and, indeed, provided support to those who, in turn, provided support to her. It was mentioned at the funeral today, and I am sure that she would like me to acknowledge, the support and the work of those at the Western Hospital, the oncology section, the nurses and the network of support.

To Andrew, Melissa, Matthew and all members of the Pierson, Curnow and Eckert families and the extended family, I know that I speak on behalf of my community when I say that our thoughts are with you at this time. Margie Lee Pierson was a credit to all women who fight cancer and who battle cancer. My thoughts, and those of Annabel and my sons, are with her family.