MATTERS OF INTEREST

LEE, MR J.W.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:21): On 12 May, a great mate of mine, John Lee, passed away aged just 62. John William Lee was born in Prospect to Jim and Dora Lee on 17 September 1948 and moved to Port Augusta at the age of two when his father was employed there working for the commonwealth railways. In 1966, John was employed by the then postmaster-general's department as a technician in training and was assigned to the Port Augusta exchange.

In 1970 he married the love of his life, Lesley, and they went on to have three children—Rachel, Bianca and Steven. In 1972, John was appointed as a technical officer in training and he undertook that training at the Kilkenny TAFE, here in Adelaide. When he completed his training he was assigned to the telegraph and data section in Waymouth Street, where he worked until he was elected as assistant secretary of the ATEA in 1986.

I first met John when he came onto the branch council of the then South Australia/Northern Territory branch of the ATEA in the early 1980s. With John's support I became branch secretary of the CWU T&S SA/NT branch in 1992 and he remained my assistant until 2003 when he became the branch secretary of the then CEPU T&S SA/NT branch. This move facilitated the eventual amalgamation of the CEPU T&S and P&T branches in South Australia/Northern Territory in 2007, at which time John became the president of the combined branches.

John was an outstanding and dedicated union official who gave his all for members. He had great empathy for those who needed the assistance of the union. He was well regarded by his peers and respected by employers who dealt with him on behalf of members. John was seconded by the union's divisional office to negotiate a number of national agreements with employers because of his expertise and the respect in which he was held.

As John's son Steven said at his funeral, 'John worked on John time'; that is, he was not to be rushed, and he kept some unusual hours. In fact, it was not uncommon for John to get into the office at 10 in the morning, but I could also ring him at 10 or later at night and he would still be in the office working. For those of us who have been union officials, we know how difficult the task is. John's efforts were truly remarkable given his 25 years as a full-time union official. John was granted a much deserved life membership of the union in November last year.

Beyond John's union history, he was also a dedicated family man who was married to Lesley for over 40 years. He loved his kids, Rachel, Bianca and Steven, and was proud of their achievements. He welcomed their partners, Sean, Jason and Lisa, into the family, and he was also a proud grandfather, who doted on his grandkids, Adele, Eva and Huxley. John would do anything he could to help his family. Tuesday night was one night that he would set aside to be at home for the family dinner. It was a coming together of the family that he loved so much. John had a very full life, not only through his work and family but also within the local community. He was involved in the Modbury Kiwanis Club, where he was vice-president.

The real tragedy of John's untimely death was that he had only just retired in July of last year. I know that John and Lesley had many plans for John's retirement. They had hoped to travel, with more time together and more time for the family, in particular their grandchildren. Sadly, this was not to be the case. For Lesley, these words say it all: 'My love, my strength, my life'. My thoughts remain with Lesley and the family throughout this difficult time. Lesley, whilst John has left us, he will certainly not be forgotten. Vale, John William Lee.