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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-09-10 Daily Xml
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BURTON, MRS M.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management) (16:06): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: My ministerial statement relates to the recent passing of Mrs Muyuru Burton. Mrs Burton was a senior and respected Anangu woman from the Amata Aboriginal community on the APY lands. She was born in Ernabella (also known as Pukatja) on 5 September 1958 and, sadly, passed away from heart failure on 7 July this year. She was just 49 years old. Mrs Burton was married to Leonard Burton for more than 30 years. They have four children: Melinda, aged 32; Glen, aged 25; Bruce, aged 16; and Katisha, aged 13. The Burtons also cared for and raised many other children from other families, giving them a secure and safe home when they needed it.

Mrs Burton was a tireless campaigner for women's and children's rights and for safer communities. She was seen by so many as a champion for change in improving living standards for all Anangu through the APY lands. The state government was saddened to learn of her passing. We extend our condolences to her family, to the Amata Community Council and to the NPY Women's Council for their loss of a valuable community member. She brought with her much inspiration, wisdom, compassion and guidance. Her achievements were many. Throughout her life she played a significant role in the APY community.

Mrs Burton was a community health and welfare worker; an Anangu teacher at the Amata school and an Anangu interpreter and translator; a senior officer of the NPY Women's Council; a member of the NPY Women's Council Governing Committee, also serving as its chairperson; a member of the Amata Community Council; a member of the AP Services Governing Committee; and a member of the Amata School Governing Committee.

Mrs Burton was an active and passionate campaigner, especially when it came to improving services for Anangu in the areas of child care, aged care and substance misuse, especially petrol sniffing and alcohol. She will be remembered as a positive role model and an inspirational and motivational community leader.

Those of us in government, as we look to give voice and meaning to Anangu concerns in the APY lands, are building on our working relationship with the Anangu people. We want to increase our level of support and commitment for Anangu so we can truly partner Anangu in a concerted effort to collectively deliver on Mrs Burton's vision for safer and more prosperous communities. Her vision for the lands and her legacy must remain as a guiding beacon to us all. On behalf of the Premier, the state government and all members in this place, I pass on my sincere condolences to Leonard, Melinda, Glen, Bruce, Katisha and the Anangu community for their loss.

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