Condolence

Appleby, Mrs J.E.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:16): By leave, I move:

That the Legislative Council expresses its deep regret at the recent death of Mrs June Appleby, former member of the House of Assembly, and places on record its appreciation of her public service and that, as a mark of respect to her memory, the sitting of the council be suspended until the ringing of the bells.

I rise today on behalf of the government to commemorate the life of Mrs June Appleby, former member of the House of Assembly. Born on 2 June 1941, June Appleby dedicated her life to service, compassion and the pursuit of fairness for all members of the community. June's political career began with her election to the House of Assembly in 1982 as the member for Brighton, proudly representing the Australian Labor Party.

From her earliest days in parliament, she stood out for her deep empathy. In her first speech to parliament, June spoke with passion about the urgent need to address mature age unemployment, a cause she championed with genuine care and vigour to ensure the voices of older members of the South Australian workforce were heard.

June's achievements in politics were driven by a strong sense of justice and a heartfelt belief that members of government should serve as both an ear and a voice to the community. She worked tirelessly for her constituents and remained firmly grounded in community values throughout her career. She championed accessibility, striving to be available to every person, regardless of age, gender, background, position, environment, religion or political belief.

In December 1985, June made history when she was appointed Government Whip in the House of Assembly for the Bannon government, the first woman in South Australia to hold this significant role. She served with distinction until late 1989, earning respect for her integrity, discipline and leadership.

Those who knew June personally remember her steadfast dedication to the people and principles she cared about. She opened the doors for women in public life and made a lasting impact on the community she served. On behalf of the government, I extend my sympathies and best wishes to June's family. With the passing of someone who made their mark on this state, I commend the motion to members.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:18): I rise on behalf of the opposition to support the motion of condolence for the late June Elizabeth Appleby and to acknowledge her service to our state. June Appleby entered this parliament at the 1982 state election as the member for Brighton, and following a redistribution continued her service as the member for Hayward from 1985 until 1989. Her time here spanned a significant period in South Australia's political history, and she embraced the responsibilities of public life with commitment and with purpose.

In 1985, June became the first woman to be appointed Government Whip in the House of Assembly, a milestone achievement and a meaningful moment for women in South Australian politics. I understand that colleagues of June's era described her as a formidable and highly capable whip, respected for her discipline, her fairness and her understanding of parliamentary process.

June's contribution extended beyond procedure and party responsibilities. She worked on matters that touched the daily lives of South Australians, highlighted by her strong advocacy for disability rights and access. She was known as someone who engaged earnestly with her work and who represented her communities in Brighton and Hayward with sincerity. While her parliamentary career concluded in 1989, June remained connected to her community and continued to be respected within her party for many years thereafter.

Her passing offers us an opportunity to acknowledge not only a former member of this parliament but a woman who helped shape the path for others who would follow her into public life. On behalf of the opposition, I extend our deepest sympathies to her husband, Maurice, to her family and loved ones and to all who knew her well. We thank June for her service, and we honour her contribution to this parliament and to South Australia.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:20): I would also like to acknowledge the passing of Mrs June Elizabeth Appleby, former member for Brighton and then Hayward following a redistribution. June was born on 2 June 1941 to her parents, Colleen and Albert Bennetts. Colleen Bennetts was a lifelong party member and was actually very instrumental in helping Jay Weatherill in his campaign in his first election.

She instilled in June the values of solidarity in the working class movement, which June took on herself when she went on to enter parliament. She won first in 1982 and again in 1985 when there were only, I think, about six women elected to parliament. She was the epitome of Labor values: fairness, equality and social justice. She was a very strict disciplinarian, as I came to find out, but that is an ideal quality for a Labor government whip in the lower house, and one that I have tried to emulate in my position here.

One of her interesting trademark traits was this long, cylindrical, black cigarette that she used to have in her mouth at all times, even during sub-branch meetings, which caused not a few asthma bouts in some of our elderly members of the branch. She had to be told very strictly that she needed to go outside if she wanted to smoke those things in the future. She did not take it well, but as always, she went with the majority vote.

Throughout her career, June was a very strong advocate for many causes, but mostly she had a natural feeling for the vulnerable in society. She stood up for them at every opportunity and took on the federal government, calling on them to take action to support unemployed people and those over 35 years of age who needed training to get back into the workforce.

My condolences go to her husband, Maurie. June and Maurie were an inseparable unit in the Labor Party. They were always hand in hand together at sub-branch meetings. Maurie would be the treasurer and June would be the president or the vice-president of the branch, always having meetings at their place or turning up at every branch meeting. I think Maurie must have been treasurer of about 15 different branches over his 30 years of membership, and he pulled double duties by running the household and the family while June was doing her duty as member for Brighton and then Hayward. I know Maurie will miss her very, very deeply. Vale June Appleby.

Motion carried by members standing in their places in silence.

Sitting suspended from 14:23 to 14:32.