McLafferty, Mr J.

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:54): I wish today to speak about the recent passing of a good friend and a long-time Labor stalwart of the north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide, Councillor Jim McLafferty. I had the pleasure of serving with Jim on the Tea Tree Gully council for a number of years and, like many, I came to know Jim rather quickly.

As confident as he was, he wore his entire character on his sleeve for all to see. Jim stood out for his friendly demeanour, his quick-witted comments and his steadfast belief in standing up for the interests of our community and its people. During Jim's time on council he fought and won many battles for his residents, and was proudly and unashamedly biased in his pursuit to ensure that his ward, which was Steventon ward, got its fair share of spending and resources.

Jim loved taking on anyone who he felt was doing the wrong thing by his residents, and he never hesitated to go in to bat for those residents. Being on council, in fact, in many ways kept Jim going, even in recent times when his body was not quite the same as it once was. Through his long struggle with illness he remained, in my opinion, as sharp as ever.

Jim absolutely loved his role on council, and I know that he was extremely proud of the fact that, up until recently, had not missed a single council meeting in over 10 years. He was exceptionally committed to serving his community.

Jim was not only a great councillor; he was also a top bloke. You could fiercely disagree with him in the council chamber on an issue, yet after the meeting you could go back, knock off a beer with him and all would be good. Many decades prior to Jim and I getting to know each other Jim had met and married the great love of his life in Chris. My thoughts go out to Chris during what I know must be an immensely difficult time.

I am also told that, prior to Jim and I meeting, Jim was a member of one of Adelaide's great unknown bands and had a deep love of music, often played as loud as possible. Like many Adelaideans, he also had a love of cars, which were often equipped with a solid sound system so that he could combine his two favourite hobbies while taking Chris and their sons on trips around regional South Australia.

Every year, Jim would insist on getting in the car and driving around the City of Tea Tree Gully for his annual trip to find things that he said needed fixing. While I never joined him on this trip myself, it was not for want of Jim asking me to come with him—something I regret now. I know in recent years that he was very proud of all the things happening in his ward: the landscaping upgrades, the playgrounds being built in the area, and, of course, the footpaths going in everywhere. He often jokingly said, 'Boy, am I good; boy, am I good', and he said this, I believe, because he knew deep down that he really did make a huge difference to his local area.

The last time I saw Jim was at the recent wedding of a close mutual friend. We sat next to each other during the ceremony, and I recall smiling and laughing at shared jokes and some fairly cheeky observations throughout the ceremony made by Jim. It was a happy memory and in many ways it matches the character of the man. He had a great sense of humour, a great wit and frequently said things that, frankly, no-one else could get away with saying.

It is safe to say that if you knew Jim you would agree with me that it was easy to like him, and even easier to regard him as a deeply good person. I certainly did and, like many others whose lives he touched in his 68 years, I will never forget him and I miss him very much.