Ministerial Statement

BALUCH, JOY

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (10:04): I seek leave to make a brief statement about the passing of mayor Joy Baluch.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: It is with great sadness that I learnt of the passing last night, 14 May, of mayor Joy Baluch AM. Joy was an outspoken advocate for the Port Augusta community and for over half of her life dedicated herself vigorously to serving the council and its constituents. Those who had seen her recently would be well aware that she was ill and she was certainly very frail, but her appearance was deceptive, Joy remained a formidable advocate for her community right up until the very end.

With what I am told was over 30 years of serving her community in local government, Joy blazed a path for women in leadership. I do not think Joy ever considered herself to be a feminist; however, she was extremely supportive of women, particularly women in leadership positions. I recall very clearly one occasion many years ago when I had only just become a minister; it was a particularly difficult time and I was having a pretty hard time of it. Joy arrived in my office with a small gift and as she thrust the gift into my hands she said, 'Don't let those mongrel bastards get to you.' So, she was, as I said, very supportive. She was certainly very kind to me and very supportive of me.

She became Australia's longest serving female mayor, while also building a reputation as a fierce defender of the interests of her community. Joy was never shy about speaking up and never held back when working towards getting the best for her community. You always knew exactly where you stood with Joy and exactly what she wanted from you: the list was always extensive but achievable.

Joy believed in Port Augusta. It is important as a vibrant regional town in our state as the crossroads between east and west. Not only was she a vigorous advocate but she certainly encouraged others, as well. I recall a meeting she attended where she arrived with a group of delegates. After a brief introduction by Joy, she handed over to the delegates. They must have been somewhat shy about being in the meeting with me and were not all that forthcoming. With that, Joy raised her voice and said, 'Well, you're always whinging in my ear about everything. Here's a minister—go on, have a go,' so she thrust the delegates forward and away they went.

She was occasionally a very controversial figure, and I certainly did not agree with all her ideas or all her points of view by any stretch of the imagination; in fact, we had some pretty fierce disagreements on a number of things. However, on many things we did agree and share. She was always a compassionate leader in her community and, while always mindful of the big picture future for Port Augusta, she never lost sight of the local people and local issues. She never forgot that the most important role of an elected official was to improve the lives of those you served, and I believe that the Port Augusta community was extremely well served by Joy in this regard.

Joy Baluch's lengthy time as mayor will forever stand as a testament to her strength, her intelligence and her commitment to her community. I am sure history will remember her as one of the great female leaders, and I certainly extend my sympathy and the sincere condolences of members here in this chamber to her family and her friends.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (10:08): I seek leave to make a few remarks.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I rise on behalf of the opposition just to make a few brief comments in support of the statement the minister has just made about the passing of mayor Joy Baluch from Port Augusta. My earliest recollections of Joy Baluch are of when she was elected as mayor and my father as chairman of the Tatiara District Council. Dad came home from an LGA meeting talking about this woman from Port Augusta who, as we all know, was very forthright and occasionally used very colourful language. He often spoke about her after LGA meetings and indicated that she would have a very long and successful career in local government—and she did. I think she spent 30-odd years as mayor and, as the minister said, she was the longest serving country female mayor.

I heard on radio this morning that she was always having almost the last word, and I heard a little piece that obviously she had recorded sometime relatively recently about her calling to the job in Port Augusta and some words about a time to sow and a time to die. I think, to the very end, she was in control of what was happening in her life.

She was always a great advocate for Port Augusta. As the minister said, she gave the minister advice, and she gave members of this party advice, whether or not we wanted it; but, again, you were always left in no doubt as to her views, and she was a passionate advocate for Port Augusta.

At one stage, she sought preselection for the Senate for the Liberals, and I think South Australia may have been better off with someone like Joy Baluch representing us in the Senate. That did not happen but, certainly, Port Augusta was the winner in her not being successful in being preselected because she devoted her life to serving her rural community, and I think we all agree she served with distinction. I think she will be well remembered by all South Australians as a great contributor to her local community and one of South Australia's outstanding women.