Laurie Larmer
Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (09:36): Just before Anzac Day of this year my community lost a great man and a very good friend of mine, Laurie Larmer. Laurie was one of our last surviving World War II veterans and spent his time in the war piloting Halifax bombers in bombing raids over Germany. Laurie was also the publican of the Doutta Galla Hotel for many years in the 1980s, and Laurie talked with great pride about how he built the business up to be what it has become today – a safe, welcoming pub that is part of the Flemington and Kensington community. Laurie retired up at Strathmore and in his retirement spoke more about his war service. He visited many of the towns and villages he bombed to apologise. In one visit, Laurie gave the mayor a few days notice of his impending arrival. The mayor put on a small service and apologised to Laurie for its small size, observing to Laurie that if Laurie had given more notice, they could have put on a bigger event for him. Laurie, as quick as a flash, said that he gave more notice this time than the last time he visited. The service last week at St Therese’s was a beautiful service, which was attended by his three daughters Anne, Bernadette and Margaret. I particularly want to thank Bernadette for taking Laurie to the ALP branch meetings and indeed to my election night party last year. It was so wonderful to have Laurie there to celebrate, and I just want to thank Laurie’s family for sharing him with all of us. Laurie was just four months short of his centenary, and while he was virtually blind, you could not put anything past him. He was so bright, so inquisitive and so engaged and connected in the world around him, and I always loved visiting for a coffee and a chat. Laurie lived his values as an honest, decent, hard-working man who took pride in his work and built firm, long-lasting friendships wherever he went. Vale, Laurie Larmer.