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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-12-01 Daily Xml
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Fisher, Ms E.M.

Ms STINSON (Badcoe) (15:31): Betty Fisher was such a giant among us she deserves two speeches today. Betty Fisher AM described herself as a feminist, an environmentalist, a trade unionist and a socialist. To me, Betty was a friend, a supporter, a constituent, a Labor sub-branch member, a role model and an inspiration. But the truth is that Betty was so many things to so many people across a century.

As her local MP, I was so grateful to have Betty's support at the most recent election. Undoubtedly among the pages of generous endorsements from local people in my community in my election flyer, Betty's face and kind words meant the most to me. Why? Because she was a person I deeply respected. She was a fierce fighter who stood by her beliefs and spoke out for those who could not. She epitomises what it is to be an active and engaged citizen. Betty showed a strength of character and conviction on so many progressive causes that was quite rare in its intensity and its duration.

For many years, up until her passing last Wednesday, Betty was a resident of Bucklands Residential Care at Plympton. It was a place she loved. She loved the Boral Wing, the residents and the staff who cared for her, and she enjoyed frequent visitors too. Betty was particularly happy that many of the workers in her wing are proud members of their union.

Betty was a feminist to her core, fiercely dedicated to women's empowerment in word and deed. She fought for women and she supported women. Betty was an activist and leader in the women's lib movement and never ceased her passion for women's equality, whether that was supporting women into parliament—like Steph Key and myself—or arguing for the basic rights and freedoms that all women deserve.

The Women's Electoral Lobby this year celebrated its 50th anniversary. Betty was there right at the start of WEL and remained a supporter and inspiration to others at WEL throughout her life. Betty served as an International Women's Day president for eight years and received a Flinders University Medal for services to women. In 2001, as an author Betty chronicled the achievements of over 2,000 South Australian change-making women in conjunction with the International Women's Day committee.

Betty was a big fan of Australia becoming a republic, but she also had a huge respect for Queen Elizabeth II. Betty lived to see the Queen's entire reign and the Queen's entire life, as Betty was born just a year earlier. Sadly, a republic has not yet materialised.

Betty was a proud Port supporter—go Port!—and if it is possible she became an even greater fan when they formed a women's team. Way back in 1925, I wonder whether a young Betty might have even imagined how much change there would be for women in sport, and I am so glad that she got to see the women of Port take the field.

Betty was an ally and an advocate for Aboriginal people. Her advocacy for Aboriginal people came into the spotlight during the 1995 Hindmarsh Island Royal Commission where she produced notes and tape recordings from the 1960s, which confirmed secret women's business. Those recordings had been entrusted to her care decades earlier by Aboriginal people who knew their worth and knew Betty's trustworthiness and integrity.

Betty was well known as an environmentalist. She was the first woman president of the Conservation Council of SA in the 1970s and was later inducted into its Hall of Fame. Conservation Council chief executive, Craig Wilkins, said last week:

Betty Fisher was a pioneer..[her] contribution to the protection of our environment cannot be overstated…Her remarkable legacy will endure long into the future.

At so many junctures in this speech I could have mentioned one more very important person in Betty's life, but I have saved the best for last. Steph Key, herself a feminist, environmentalist and unionist, was a valuable supporter and protector to Betty and a loyal friend, and that continues today as she works with Betty's family to ensure her fitting farewell.

I want to take this chance to thank Steph for the incredible and enduring friendship that she has shared with Betty and for all that she has done to assist Betty in her senior years. Everyone should be so lucky to have a friend like Steph, especially in their more vulnerable years. I also thank Steph for her assistance in preparing this address today.

For all Betty's activism and advocacy there was a driving factor: the welfare of others, including those close to her. Betty adored her many friends and family and in turn was loved deeply by them. She was particularly proud of her nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces, daughters-in-law, Tanya and Beth, and three grandchildren, Patrick, Georgia and Evie. Our hearts are with them at this sad time.

Betty was a Labor woman through and through and truly beat a path for those of us here lucky enough to follow. A giant of a person, Betty's absence leaves a hole in our community and in our hearts, but there is no doubt that every day of her life improved our world for the better. Thank you, Betty.

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