Anne Aly (Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) | Hansard source

I rise this morning to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Margaret Cockman OAM, who sadly passed away on 26 July at the age of 92. I'm sure that many other members in this House, particularly the member for Pearce and the member for Moore, will also speak about Margaret and her incredible legacy across the northern suburbs of Perth. Margaret's immeasurable influence on Wanneroo and Joondalup and her passion for helping the community were absolutely unmatched. From an early age, she demonstrated a heart for serving her community, and that led her to dedicate more than five decades to working in local government.

Without Margaret's passion and determination, many associations and community organisations that exist today in Wanneroo would not be here. She was actively involved in, and founded, several groups that continue to operate and make a difference to the community, including the Wanneroo Agricultural Society and the Wanneroo and Districts Historical Society. Her long list of achievements included being awarded, in 1990, a Medal of the Order of Australia for her community work, and in 2001 she was awarded the Centenary Medal. In 1995 she was made a freeman of the City of Wanneroo for her work in service to the community since 1946.

I got to know and befriend Margaret through her role as the patron for Wanneroo-Joondalup Relay for Life, which for the past six years since I was elected the member for Cowan I have had the pleasure and the opportunity of hosting and MC-ing along with the member for Pearce, who was at the time the mayor of the city of Wanneroo, and, of course, Margaret, who was the patron for Relay for Life. I thoroughly enjoyed getting that opportunity to see her at least once a year at the Relay For Life, throughout that time really admiring her for the heart and the immeasurable passion that she had for her community.

Margaret never married or had children, but was the loved sister of Sam, now deceased, and Avril, and she was the great-aunt of 13. To all her family and all her friends: I wish them the very best and send them my deep condolences.

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