Thursday, 6 February 2025

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (10:09): I rise to celebrate the life of Robert Sercombe, affectionately known as Bob Sercombe. Bob was a stalwart of the north-west of Melbourne. He served in all three levels of government, commencing at the City of Essendon, from where he then moved on to become the Labor member for the electorate of Niddrie, which I hold now, and after that he became a federal member of Parliament in the electorate of Maribyrnong.

Bob had a dedication to the local community like no-one else. Having had a taste of public service, he was passionate about the community, whether it was representing Niddrie or Maribyrnong or the people of Essendon. He was so proud of the work he did. He was very much a public policy person, long before we were talking about the care economy and long before we were talking about level crossing removals. Bob was a strong advocate for aged care in the local community. He was a strong advocate back in the 1980s and the 90s for the removal of the St Albans level crossing. Perhaps he was most proud, though, of his children, grandchildren and his beautiful wife Carmen. He would be so proud too that his grandson Harper Sercombe, a journalist now out in the north-western suburbs, did a beautiful tribute to him in the local newspaper. This is what Bob was always about – family and community. May he rest in peace. Vale, Bob Sercombe.