Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to speak about an amazing Territorian who recently passed away in Darwin. Mary Lee was born Mary Cubillo in the 1930s. During her life she survived the bombing of Darwin, which took the life of her father, a wharfie, who was killed in the raid on Darwin in February 1942 while he was unloading the ship Neptuna. Mary Lee raised 15 children, survived Cyclone Tracy and graduated from university at the age of 64. Mary Lee met and was hugged by a president, President Obama, who sent her photos of himself and his family wearing the beanies that Mary had crocheted for them.

She was to fight for the recognition of native title and the Kenbi land claim, which was granted to the Larrakia people after 37 years—just months before her death. She was to fight for the stolen generations. Her mother was removed to Bathurst Island, in the Tiwis, when she was a child. Mary Lee was to become renowned as an elegant and loving matriarch.

Mary's story is that of the Top End. It is a very Darwin story. It reflects that story of our nation and the often painful and shameful relationship with our first peoples. It also tells of the strength, resilience and enormous generosity of spirit that has enabled the nation's reconciliation movement and our national apology to the stolen generation, delivered by then PM Kevin Rudd.

To Mary's family I send my heartfelt condolences. Mary Lee, nee Cubillo, a proud Larrakia woman, will continue to inspire. It is the stories and lives of Australians like Mary who will continue to inspire me.

I also acknowledge one of my staffers, Sharon McAlear, herself a Larrakia woman and long-time true believer. Her father, Richard Koolpinyah Barnes, is a proud Larrakia leader. I am very proud to have been elected this week as deputy chair of Labor's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander caucus committee, led by our Indigenous federal members. I do not take this role lightly. I have a strong sense of responsibility. It is a privilege to be part of a team and a party that includes leaders such as Senator for WA Pat Dodson; the member for Barton, Linda Burney; and our own senator for the NT, Malarndirri McCarthy, who is the chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander committee.

As the member for Solomon and the deputy chair of this committee, I will work to honour the memory of people like Mary Lee. May Mary Lee and those who have gone before her rest in peace with their ancestors in the knowledge that the Australian Labor Party will continue their struggle for recognition and justice for our country's first peoples for generations to come. Mah Muk. Thank you.

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