Grievance Debate

Kelly OAM, Mrs J.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:05): Last Thursday evening, as you may be aware, Kangaroo Island lost a living legend with the passing of Mrs Janice Kelly OAM, commonly known as Jackie. Jackie Kelly was the last Mayor of the District Council of Kingscote, and the first Mayor of Kangaroo Island Council upon amalgamation in 1996.

She was the much-loved wife of Bryan, the mother of Phillip, Simon, Tim and families. She was a mother-in-law, a grandmother and great-grandmother. I acknowledge Tim and Julianne in the gallery today. Jackie came to Kangaroo Island as a young schoolteacher, met Bryan, and the rest is history. Jackie was a Legacy ward as her father was killed early in the Second World War whilst serving his country overseas. Her mother later remarried and Jackie had stepbrothers and sisters.

She was a redoubtable teacher. She taught many children during her career and, like so many of our outstanding public schoolteachers and non-government schoolteachers, has had an incredible impact on thousands of lives over the period of time that she taught. She was elected as a councillor on the Kingscote District Council and went on to become mayor on the retirement of Mayor Judith Morris.

She was always one to take up the fight for Kangaroo Island. Notable achievements for her include winning the fight against a local group alleging illegal roadside vegetation clearance. Her determination to prevail over a group refusing to pay rates was widely noted. She led the charge, along with Dudley district council chairman, the late Hartley Wilson, to get the best possible deal for the new entity being the Kangaroo Island Council.

Her community activities covered many organisations and she was still active in the community even into her mid-eighties, at the time of her death. She was President of the Kangaroo Island Cancer Support Group and presiding member of the community development panel.

During the Kangaroo Island bushfires several years ago, the Kelly farm was burnt out but the two homes, fortunately, were saved. Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the island and met local families whose properties had been burnt, at the Kelly farm, even while their property was still burning. I am told by the then and now local mayor, former member for Finniss, Michael Pengilly, that she collared him and said she wanted to meet the Prime Minister to ask for a rural financial counsellor to be put in place.

The mayor relays the story that on being introduced to Scott Morrison, he asked what she would like. On saying, 'A rural financial counsellor,' he replied, 'How many do you need?' And, quick as a flash, Jackie said, 'Well, two then, please, Prime Minister.' He turned to his Chief of Staff and said, 'Make it happen,' and it did. I am told that Jackie chuckled long and hard over that one.

Her commitment to Stokes Bay Hall, that community, and the Parndana bowling and golf clubs was legendary. I note the Parndana Bowling Club, on their Facebook, has a statement from Meaghan May stating:

Members of the Parndana Bowling Club are deeply saddened to hear that our Life Member & great friend Jackie Kelly passed away on 25 October 2024 after a short illness.

Jackie's service to our club, Kangaroo Island Association, Region 7 & Bowls SA has been considerable. Her enthusiasm, sense of humour, care for others & wealth of knowledge will be sadly missed. A list of Jackie's impressive achievements will be posted at a later date.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Bryan, Phillip, Simon, Tim & their families.

A memorial service for Jackie will be held at the Stokes Bay Community Hall on Monday 4 November at 1pm, with an afternoon tea to follow. Kangaroo Island has lost somebody who many people on the island considered to be a true giant. The world is a better place for having had Jackie in it. Vale Jackie Kelly.