Tuesday, 7 March 2023

 Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (12:56): I rise to remember the life of Patricia Brown-Cheung, who passed away in January after a short illness. Pat was the executive assistant to John Brumby for more than 20 years. Pat had worked with Bill Scales at the Industries Assistance Commission, and it was at Bill’s suggestion that JB recruited Pat. It was a wonderful association. Pat was loyal, discreet, hardworking, professional, elegant, caring and protective, but she was also tough and formidable. She was fearsome but always fair. She was respected by all and revered by many. In describing Pat’s work in the Premier’s diary committee meetings, Yorick Piper described how with a roll of the eyes, a withering look or a sigh of ‘honestly’ Pat could rein the most enthusiastic or bloviated staff in and steer the topic and the meeting towards a sensible and productive outcome. She was a force of nature in John’s office over the years. She left an indelible mark and will be greatly missed. Patricia Brown-Cheung stood in the best traditions of the public service. Quite simply, things happened just because of the support that she provided to JB, and as a consequence of this she served our state with distinction. As Tim Holding said, the great things we are able to accomplish in public life so often involve us standing on the shoulders of the incredible people who work with us. Pat was highly regarded by all who worked with her inside and outside of the government and by all sides of politics. Pat lived a life of public service. She left this place better than she found it, and at the end of the day that is a true marker of success. Vale, Patricia Brown-Cheung.