Tuesday, 6 February 2024

Noel Rankin

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (14:01): I would like to pay tribute today to the life of Noel Rankin, who passed away in January this year at the age of 90. Noel Rankin served the Parliament of Victoria with excellence for many years as an electorate officer to former members of the Legislative Council Ken Wright for 18 years and Ron Best for 14 years. At her 80th birthday celebration Ron Best presented a ‘This is your life’. Noel was also a much-loved and long-time member of the Nationals and was recognised as a life member of the Victorian division and served as president of the Nationals Women section and as a member of the state council for many years. A service was held in Bendigo to celebrate her life on 24 January. Noel had many interests in life, but her family made special mention of her Nationals life membership, saying she treasured it.

Just last week we held the official opening of my new electorate office in Bendigo and it was great to see her family represented at the official opening. Her family shared some precious letters that were written to Noel, including a letter from the former leader of the National Party Peter Ryan. It was written when she finished work in 2002, and it seems fitting to repeat these words today:

I freely confess it seems strange to no longer have you amongst us – in the work sense at least. For all that I am sure that you have finished with many wonderful memories.

I wish you well in the time to come. You will always be fondly remembered by all of us who have the honour and good fortune to be representatives of the National Party in the Parliament of Victoria.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Noel Rankin’s children, Andrea, Glen and Gayle, as we reflect on and celebrate a life well lived.