Gai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is with great sadness that I rise today to note the passing of Chris Stokman. Chris served as director of UnitingCare Canberra's community kitchen, the Early Morning Centre. A few years ago, an ugly concrete pillar sat at the centre of the centre. It sat between and divided the guests, making the room feel more like a foyer than an actual community centre. The centre applied for a grant to create a community mosaic and cover the pillar in beautiful art. Chris intended for the mosaic to bring the guests of the EMC together to work on something collaborative and communal and to share in a celebration of diversity and a celebration of community.

Two weeks ago, Chris received a visit in hospital from her friend and colleague Margaret Watt. Margaret asked her how things were. Chris expressed her disappointment at not having had the chance to contribute to the community mosaic. Chris left Margaret with some very firm instructions for exactly how she wanted her part to look, and there is a special space on the pillars that is reserved for Chris. I spent a morning at the EMC a few weeks ago. Putting the tiles together on my part of the mosaic, I felt what Chris intended.

Vale, Chris Stockman. Canberra will miss you. The people who use the services of EMC will miss you. Thank you so much for your contribution to Canberra for so many years. We are the lesser as the result of your loss.