Tuesday, 20 September 2022

 Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (10:38): I rise to pay tribute to a leading lady who has gone about giving to the community in many ways for decades. Vivienne Edlund is that wonderful person. She has just celebrated a significant birthday, and I thought it well time she was thanked in this house. In 2016 Mrs Edlund was awarded an OAM, quite fittingly a Queen’s Birthday honour. A mother of four daughters, Mrs Edlund has volunteered for 24 years at one of Ballarat’s most esteemed events, the Royal South Street Society’s eisteddfod. She also spent years as a board member of Lisa Lodge in Ballarat, a women’s refuge. Vivienne Edlund has been a member of the Liberal Party of Australia since 1960—a dedication to an outstanding organisation for longer than some in this house have been alive. That contribution continues today with her holding roles within Liberal Women’s Council Victoria and local Ballarat electorate committees.

At a time in history when one rather famous and extraordinary woman of the world is being celebrated, it is rather fitting I think that Vivienne Edlund is also thanked. Her efforts for her community, for women and for our political system are enduring and powerful and say a great deal about the quiet, unassuming and humble ways of the real leaders in our society.