Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Alistair Urquhart

Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (15:00): Today I say thank you to a man who never entered this chamber but took a lifelong interest in it. Alistair Urquhart OAM died two weeks ago at the age of 76. His attraction to politics led him in 1985 to stand against reigning Premier of Victoria John Cain for the seat of Bundoora. Imagine if he had won. He also stood federally. Supported in the 1993 election in the seat of Jagajaga by the likes of John Howard and Sir Henry Bolte, he took on the unwinnable. But facing a challenge was his forte. How else could one stride into major events with unashamed gusto and bagpipes blaring or indeed be a pivotal force in the establishment of Wise, an organisation which helps to find work for the physically and mentally disabled? He remained the chair for 30 years, forging it into a global entity. For this he gained his Order of Australia Medal. He wrote popular monthly newsletters Letter from Melbourne and Letter from Canberra. He would love to write about this place today in what I am sure he would call his ‘Letter from on high.’ Alistair could often be found across the road at Cafe Excello, where he would talk to anyone about politics and current affairs. My thoughts are with his beloved wife Mary. Vale, Alistair Urquhart.