Thursday, 23 March 2023

Terry Norris

Lee TARLAMIS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:53): It is with sadness that I rise to acknowledge the passing of Terry Norris. Terry was a beloved stage and screen actor and a member of the Victorian Parliament, serving as the member for Noble Park from 1982 to 1985 and as the member for Dandenong from 1985 to 1992 in the other place. He was a kind and decent man, a man of great integrity and compassion and a mentor to many. He cared deeply about and fought fiercely for the people he represented, ensuring they received the support they needed and deserved.

Terry was a talented actor with a successful acting career before venturing into politics. Some would say it prepared him well for Spring Street. Truth be told, Terry could have achieved more in his acting profession, but he chose instead to serve the people and pursue his beliefs and a better and more just world. Terry did it all, including a stint on the theatre circuit in the UK and dabbling in playwriting. But it was his television work that made him a household name across the country. It was Bellbird that launched Terry into the homes of Australians as the local town motor mechanic Joe Turner. But for a certain generation Terry will forever be known as Senior Sergeant Eric O’Reilly of the Riverside police station in Cop Shop. Cop Shop was a huge hit back in the late 1970s and early 80s. In my case I caught the reruns after the show had finished up, which I quite enjoyed. I watched quite a few of them. In today’s digital world it is difficult to state how big the show was, but when it did air, it aired twice weekly, and people were glued to their TVs.

His successful acting career resumed and thrived post politics, rarely seeing Terry out of work. I know that many would have their own memories of and favourites from the various characters he played and the various roles. He was acting until very recently. He was in the Jack Irish series most recently. He was always appearing in many different shows. I would often not know that he was going to be in one – I would be just watching TV, and I would go, ‘Oh, there’s Terry. I didn’t know he was in that.’

I was fortunate to have met Terry on many occasions. Like many others, I was a beneficiary of his wisdom and insights. He was always happy for a chat, which usually included a run-down on party matters and what was happening in the local community. I know that he would be very proud of all the things that are occurring in Noble Park at the moment, having represented that area. A former member for Narre Warren South Dale Wilson, who worked for him for the 10 years that he was in Parliament, used to regale us with many wonderful stories from his time working for Terry.

Terry was a genuine, lovely man who will be sadly missed by the Labor movement and all who knew him. My thoughts are with his family and friends, and we will remember his lifetime of contributions. Vale, Terry Norris.