Wednesday, 27 August 2025

 Juliana ADDISON (Wendouree) (10:01): I rise to pay my respects to the life of Wendy Symons, a proud member of the Australian Labor Party and Wendouree branch, born on 28 March 1947 under the Chifley Labor government and passed away on 8 August 2025 in Ballarat under an Albanese Labor government. She was a Labor woman through and through, living her values and supporting Catherine King and me on pre-poll even when she was unwell. I got to know Wendy when she moved from Minyip to Ballarat with her partner and Labor life member Terry Grange. Terry and Wendy were an incredible partnership, inseparable companions who did everything together, from going to Bunnings to daily coffee outings to attending Wendy’s dialysis sessions. Terry was lucky to have Wendy, and Wendy was lucky to have Terry. Wendy was a good person in the truest of senses. She cared deeply for others and was always concerned about those who were down and out. When Wendy saw someone who needed help, she did not turn a blind eye, she acted. Wendy had experienced hard times herself, and this gave her great empathy and compassion for others, approaching the homeless, offering to buy them a meal, but more importantly, letting them know they mattered and she cared. Wendy was also a woman of great strength and resolve. She will be deeply missed by her soulmate Terry, her family, friends and the Ballarat Labor Party members. We send our love, support and deepest sympathies to Terry. Vale, Wendy Symons.