David Smith (Bean, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing chair of the Weston Creek Community Council, Mr Tom Anderson, for his outstanding community service. He has served on the council's committee for the past 14 years and was chair for the last 11 of those years. Tom's story is a classic Canberran one. He moved to Canberra from Wollongong back in 1968 for what he intended to be three months working in the Australian Public Service. He met his wife, Margaret, while playing cricket for a local club, when he was asked to help her score the game. As Tom explained, 'We sat down together and that was it.' They have now been married for 47 years. They settled in Weston Creek, in the suburb of Chapman, in 1973, and they have lived there ever since. Tom's initial three-month stint in the Public Service in Canberra became 41 years of dedicated service, including in the role of DLO for four ministers in federal governments. He retired in 2008, content with what he described as a fortunate career.

The Weston Creek Community Council have advocated for much-needed services and facilities for their suburbs and residents. Tom has seen huge growth in the region over the term of his involvement and has been instrumental in its development. He has always been someone I could count on for information and support in identifying community needs in the Bean electorate. Tom should be proud of his efforts. On behalf of the Bean electorate, I would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him well. (Time expired)