Wednesday, 18 June 2025

 Ella GEORGE (Lara) (09:50): It is with great sadness that I rise today to acknowledge the passing of James Mentor. Jimmy was a dear friend to many in our labour movement. I first met Jimmy when we were both in Young Labor and students at Monash University. I would like to say we became close because we were fighting Tories, but we were actually fighting our comrades in Young Labor Left. Student politics can be brutal, but you always had a friend in Jimmy. He had a unique ability to connect with people from across the political divide and earn their respect. Jimmy was the best kind of friend, the friend who was always there for you, the friend with whom you could pick up where you left off.

Jimmy gave so much of his time and his heart to our labour movement. Come election time, he would be one of the first to volunteer. At this most recent federal election he was helping in his beloved eastern suburbs, and they came up red. Passionate about education policy, he championed this in many roles, from the Monash student union to the National Union of Students and to roles with both the Victorian and federal Labor governments.

Jimmy will be sorely missed by many, but he will live on in the memories we have of him. Jimmy, I will remember you every time I watch the Magpies at the G and every time I hand out a Labor how-to-vote card, and I will remember you every time I hear a university student sing ‘Student unity forever’. I will remember you every time I take a group of Young Labor through Parliament on a tour and when I see the hopes and dreams written on their faces. To all of Jimmy’s friends, families and colleagues, I extend my deepest condolences. Vale, Jimmy Mentor.