CURNOW, MR J.

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (15:12): This coming weekend a young man by the name of James Curnow should have enjoyed celebrating his 25^th birthday. Instead, James' family and friends will remember him with love and a great sense of loss in the wake of his death last month in a tragic accident at home. Despite their sorrow and loss, I am sure his loved ones, friends and work colleagues will recall the happiness James brought to their lives as they battle the heartbreak.

I first met James last June when I and my staff interviewed him for a traineeship in the Mitchell electorate office. With an eye-catching natural afro, a broad cheeky grin and a laid-back, yet caring demeanour, he stood out among some very fine applicants. Among other attributes, his strong job application, his steady work ethic (supported by his long-term employment history in retail at Dick Smith) and the mature way he handled our questions on interview day won him the position.

I was really impressed with James' desire to start a new career and believed he would do extremely well in the role, as he had decided to leave a well-paid-permanent position in retail for a lower paid 12-month traineeship. He recognised the traineeship as a crucial avenue to his ultimate goal—a long-term position in the Public Service, a career he wanted so much.

Over the nearly 12 months he worked in the Mitchell office, he remained ever upbeat and cheery, always smiling and always remaining patient with even the most demanding constituents. Even when things did not come easily to him, he gave them a go. If he ever felt downhearted about anything, he did not let on about it. He displayed a keen interest in the political process and particular interests that affected people of his age. Things like road and cyber safety, support for local sporting clubs and employment opportunities for young people were all issues that James followed with interest.

I have heard many people who met him just once say that he had left a real impression, and I can certainly understand that sentiment. We learnt very quickly that James was a reliable and loyal colleague, and in his personal life a loyal friend and sounding-board for so many. He loved a party and a beer with his mates, whether it was watching his beloved Port Power, the MotoGP and Casey Stoner or Formula One and Mark Webber.

It was only at James's funeral that I learnt he had been a very premature baby. He was so small and seemingly fragile growing up that he drew the nickname Willow. While it upset him when he was young, his dad explained that it meant he was a special boy. It was a nickname that stuck throughout his life, and one that James, ultimately, wore with pride.

Willow became a keen and talented sportsman, including Aussie rules football, golf and cricket amongst his loves. He was very close to his family—his parents, Barb and Lew, his sister, Emma, his grandmother, brother-in-law and niece—and had friends from all parts of his life. They came in their hundreds to farewell him and offer support to each other and his family at his funeral.

James left his mark on everyone he met, and I and my staff are all truly grateful and honoured to have worked with him. His life is a reminder to us that it is indeed a gift to be able to wear a sincere smile in the face of adversity. It is also a reminder of how important it is to cherish those we love and to tell them so.

My heartfelt condolences to Barb, Lew, Emma, extended family and friends. To the many members who have expressed their sympathy to me and my staff, we thank you. I know Barb and Lew are proud of their son, as they should be. We will miss him but we will never forget him.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Mitchell. That is a very touching tribute and a reminder to us how fragile life is and how important our young people are.