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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-02-10 Daily Xml
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CARMAN, MS S.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (15:37): Today I would like to pay tribute to Suzanne Carman, who was the previous executive director of the Office for Disability and Client Services. On Thursday, 30 December 2010, Suzanne Carman, sadly, lost her battle with cancer.

Suzanne moved to Adelaide from North Queensland in 1972. She came from a large extended family, whose faith, I understand, very much forged Suzanne's commitment to social justice, as did her time as a student with the Sisters of Mercy. I understand that in her last year at school she was dux, head prefect and national president of the Young Christian Student Movement. She won a commonwealth scholarship to study at university. However, it was not until she came to Adelaide that she undertook university studies, obtaining an arts degree as well as a Diploma of Education. She returned to Adelaide University to study law after some time teaching.

Suzanne then embarked on a distinguished career in the state's Public Service. She held roles including women's adviser to the Premier; deputy equal opportunity commissioner; official secretary to the Governor of South Australia; director in the cabinet office; director of security and emergency management; acting ombudsman; and, most recently executive director of the Office for Disability and Client Services.

I had the privilege of working closely with Suzanne. She was a professional public servant of the highest calibre. She was committed to creating a positive change and improving people's lives. She knew how to cut through bureaucracy and make a difference. She was strong and courageous in her approach to problems—traits which shone through during her illness.

Suzanne was admired across the Public Service and held in high esteem and respected by her peers both in and out of government. Glenn Rappensberg, Chief Executive of Novita Children's Services, said of Suzanne Carmen:

She was an esteemed and valued champion for services to children and young people living with disability in this state.

In speaking at her funeral, Joz Mazel, Chief Executive of the Department for Families and Communities, said:

As was her destiny, she (Suzanne) approached each role with a sense of duty and dedication that in turn brought with it the admiration and respect of her staff and colleagues.

She had high expectations of others, but even higher expectations of herself. She was never one to shirk from hard work and was always there when yet another deadline had to be met, no matter how complex the task.

Suzanne has been described to me as a warm, wise and compassionate friend, a woman of integrity, and her modesty and humility was notable. Colleagues at the Office for Disability and Client Services said:

Suzanne had a passionate commitment to achieving a better life for people with disability. She had a great capacity to elevate the concerns of others over her own concerns and she was attentive to and supportive of her staff.

National Disability Services paid tribute to Suzanne with the following:

Suzanne understood the value a strong working relationship between the disability service provider sector through its peak body, National Disability Services, and the department would bring to the delivery of disability services in this state. On behalf of our members, we pay tribute to her genuine commitment to this final path of her commendable career.

Staff at Community and Home Support SA said:

Suzanne was a consummate public servant who operated with grace and intelligence. Her understanding of the mechanics of government, her willingness to engage in robust debate when needed, her capacity to engage with stakeholders, including those with differing points of view, her drive to add value. These are some of the qualities identified by those who worked with her and learnt from her. She was a mentor and a genuinely caring human being.

One person said:

I remember the very first time I met Suzanne. How many people can you say that about? She caught my attention and I was drawn to her intelligence, sensitivity, honesty and dignity.

Suzanne had a passionate commitment to achieving a better life for people with a disability. She had a great capacity to elevate the concerns of others over her own concerns and she was attentive to and supportive of her staff. Suzanne's passion for her work continued during her illness. She continued to come to work even when she knew she was terminally ill. She continued to attend meetings and apologised to me that she would not be around to see our reforms come to fruition.

Suzanne was much loved partner of Gray Hawk and mother to Sean, Sunny Carlin and Malika. Their loss is much greater than ours and I offer them my most sincere condolences. Both personally and professionally, she will be greatly missed, and I was truly honoured to have the opportunity to work with Suzanne and get to know her.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Ms Thompson) (15:41): I would also like to pay my tribute to Suzanne Carman. I was privileged to be a colleague of hers for some time. In fact, I think I was either her first or second employer in the Public Service. She was truly a woman of insight and compassion and I would also pay my respects to Gray Hawk and other members of the family on their great loss.

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