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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-11-02 Daily Xml
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Philanthropy

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. S.L. Game:

That this council acknowledges the importance of philanthropy and community service to our society, and recognises the philanthropic and charitable endeavours of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

(Continued from 19 October 2022.)

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (17:33): I rise to make a contribution on this condolence motion recognising the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I would like to thank the Hon. Sarah Game for providing this opportunity for members of this chamber to make some remarks. Like the rest of the world, I was very saddened to hear of our Queen's passing. She was born on 21 April 1926 and passed at the age of 96 on 8 September 2022, and she left an irreplaceable footprint across the world.

I stand in this council in awe of the service and leadership Her Late Majesty contributed during her time. Being a lifelong advocate for women, I would like to take this opportunity to particularly reflect on the Queen's life in her capacity as a woman, a mother, and a wife, and as an example to girls and women all over the world.

In February 1952, at just 25 years of age, her father passed away and she became the Queen of seven independent commonwealth countries, including Australia, and the head of the Commonwealth by its member nations. It must not be forgotten that this significant event occurred at an age considered to be the age of respectability and conformity for women. At this time, in both England and across the world, not very many women worked after getting married. Instead they took care of the house and their children. Men were considered to be the heads of household, and it was far more rare than not to pursue an education after high school, especially after marriage.

At a time when it was uncommon for women to rule and to govern, Queen Elizabeth II gracefully rose to the occasion, which she knew would change her life and the lives of millions of girls and women forever. She chose service, and she chose to become an example. Her loyalty and devotion to her role paved the way for other women to pursue careers and effect change at the highest of levels, be it in politics or other significant positions of power.

It must be noted that throughout her reign the Queen swore in 15 British Prime Ministers. Three of them were women, including Dame Margaret Thatcher, rightly known as the Iron Lady, the United Kingdom's first female Prime Minister, in 1979.

In a speech she made on International Women's Day in 2011 regarding women being agents of change, our Queen recognised that women are agents of change in so many ways: as mothers and sisters, teachers and doctors, artists and crafts people, smallholders and entrepreneurs, and as leaders of our societies, unleashing the potential of those around them. Today I reflect on some quotes attributed to the Queen, Her Late Majesty, which will forever serve as a testament to women around the world:

It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the hard progress of humankind.

Another:

I am aware that I'm surrounded by people who feel that they could do the job better,—

I am laughing at the irony—

strong people with powerful characters, but for better or worse, the crown has landed on my head.

Another:

When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.

If one is to unpack and interpret Her Majesty's words, it is clear that even as a woman with significant power and sovereignty the Queen also felt the pressure of society's views towards her as a woman. Queen Elizabeth also understood that she could not give up and accept defeat.

Her Late Majesty's life will forever be an inspiration to every woman aspiring to become a leader. We thank her for her service.

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (17:38): A young woman, on her 21st birthday, made a speech, but this was not an adoring speech to her family and friends gathered to celebrate her coming-of-age; instead, it was a speech to her adoring realm:

I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.

The young Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, who in a few short years would later become Queen Elizabeth II on the death of her father King George VI, became an embodiment of her own declaration of service. Spanning her 70-year reign, she fulfilled her promise by serving the people of the United Kingdom and the commonwealth all her life until her passing at the age of 96.

As monarch, she visited all corners of her commonwealth, and on 3 February 1954 became the first reigning monarch to visit Australia, disembarking in Sydney, New South Wales. The royal tour of eight weeks showcased our beautiful states and territories to the young Queen and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. The Australian people welcomed their new Queen and celebrated her visit.

In fact, to commemorate this tour, Sir William Dargie was commissioned to paint a portrait of the Queen, which is famously known as 'the wattle painting'. He was the first Australian artist to paint the newly crowned Queen. The Queen is pictured in a Norman Hartnell evening dress, which is adorned with native wattle flowers on the bodice to represent the resilience and patriotism of the Australian people. This portrait now sits in Parliament House in Canberra. The portrait of the Queen that we have here in our Parliament House is a wonderful tribute to the Queen and her incredible service to the commonwealth.

Australia was clearly a favourite place for the Queen to visit, with many happy memories. She would return again and again, totalling 16 visits, with her last visit to South Australia being in 2002. I had the opportunity to see the Queen on two occasions. Whilst I saw her from a distance, they are incredible memories nonetheless.

Firstly, in 2002 as a teenager and a member of the Australian Girls Choir, I had the opportunity to sing before Her Majesty at the state dinner at the Festival Centre. Whilst I am not much of a singer these days, it was an incredible highlight to see the Queen and Prince Philip, along with other dignitaries, including former Prime Minister John Howard. Six years later, whilst living in London, I had the opportunity to see the Queen from a distance at the Ascot races in 2008. The joy in her face at seeing her horses race was infectious.

Her legacy surrounds us, and our adoration for the late Queen is prevalent throughout Australia but especially here in South Australia. Many know that the suburb of Elizabeth is proudly named after her, as are many other places, including hospitals and other buildings named after Queen Elizabeth. It honours her name and her service and duty to our state.

We appreciate her service to all Australians but particularly all her service and work for not-for-profit organisations. With her involvement in over 600 organisations worldwide, it is estimated that she helped to raise more than $2 billion during her reign. In Australia she was patron to 27 organisations, including the Australian Red Cross, the Returned and Services League and the Scout Association.

Her ongoing support for not-for-profit organisations and charities resonates deeply with me through my mother, who recently retired after an incredible career working in chief executive roles within the not-for-profit sector for over 30 years. Through hearing her experiences, I understand the gravity that having a monarch supporting your organisation must have and the help the Queen provided with her patronage. Because of this, I will always hold the late Queen in high regard, and I will continue to tell her story so that our future generations understand how extraordinary her reign was.

Now his Majesty King Charles III takes on the role of our monarch, and I am confident that he will continue to do the important work that his mother did over 70 years, both from a charity perspective and as our monarch across the commonwealth. I saw Prince Charles, now King Charles III, in Darwin, meeting with hundreds of Territorians in the blazing sun. He was thoughtful and engaging and gave me great hope for the future of the monarchy. God save the King.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.

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