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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-08-27 Daily Xml
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Oxenham, Ms H.

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (15:30): I rise to pay tribute to Helen Oxenham OAM, and I do so with humility, following her passing on 23 July. I say 'with humility' because I did not know Helen Oxenham, unlike others in the house and others in the community, particularly in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, whose lives she influenced over the course of her last 50 years, particularly.

It is true to say, and there ought to be more said over the course of the time ahead, that Helen Oxenham's service to South Australian women, in particular over those last 50 years, is indeed a legacy of towering achievement. That was recognised by hundreds who attended her memorial on 2 August this year. In Irish style, it was a memorial occasion that was both profound and filled with humour and goodwill and joy at a long life well lived.

Helen passed away in her 90s, having been born and raised in Ireland, in Cork, as is well known. She was one of six children. Growing up, her childhood was impacted by domestic violence. Helen observed that she was witness to her mother, and her siblings as well, being abused at the hands of her father. She has described that, expressed in her own words, as being like living with a volcano.

She married a gentler gentleman, and, having married, she migrated to Australia in her late 20s. She raised her family in the southern suburbs. It was in the mid-1970s that Helen had the opportunity to go to Flinders University to study women's studies. I emphasise that in paying tribute in these remarks, because Helen was a woman already in her 40s, having grown up overseas, having moved to Australia with the zeal of a migrant, having found this place and then having found both the opportunity to chart a course and the occasion to provide groundbreaking, transformational support for women in need.

Off the back of having the opportunity to study women's studies, Helen famously founded the first women's shelter at Christies Beach. In fact, she established the very concept, in many ways, of response to need. She found that she was surrounded by women in the southern suburbs whose first need was not for education, although there was the benefit of that, but they wanted beds and they wanted safety. The stories are countless as to women of all ages who found refuge with Helen from those very early years.

I note, in particular, the Place of Courage that Helen sought and, I think it is fair to say, pestered those, including, in particular, her daughter Heather to whom she has passed on the legacy to keep talking up for the Place of Courage. I am proud that the Marshall Liberal government provided $200,000 towards its establishment. We know that there is more needed and I look forward to that investment continuing that 50-year legacy. It was a long life well lived. Vale Helen Oxenham OAM.

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