Thursday, 1 June 2023

 Nicholas McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:45): It is a great pleasure to rise and pay my respects and thanks for the contribution of Bernice Hogarth. Bernice Hogarth has been a member of the Liberal Party for 60 years – in fact, to be precise, it is 61 years. None of us would be here were it not for the tireless efforts of the volunteers of all of our parties. Bernice, along with her late husband Charles, joined the Liberal Party on 1 March 1962. At that point in history Robert Menzies was the Prime Minister of Australia and Henry Bolte was the Premier of Victoria – the good old days. Bernice has held many positions, including chair of the Heathmont branch and secretary of Bayswater branch, and has contributed to a number of elections. She has had a long-held association with the Deakin federal electoral commission, and, President, I am sure you would join with me in remarking on what a fine contribution she has made to the Liberal Party. She assisted in the campaigns in Bayswater for Heidi Victoria, our colleague in another place at a former time, in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. She has also been instrumental in the campaigns of Phil Barresi and Michael Sukkar, members of our federal Parliament. It is rare that a state council of our party also passes without regular representation and speaking on motions by Bernice. She has played a mentoring role, she has helped in our party and our party is indebted to her for her tireless efforts and support over the years.