Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to pay tribute to a friend of mine, a pillar of the Labor Party in Ipswich, Margaret Doran. Margie was born in Ipswich on 15 April 1935 and died after a short illness at St Andrew's Hospital, Ipswich, on 25 June 2025 at the age of 90. Margie had been an inspiration for so many, and her passing leaves a huge gaping hole in the city of Ipswich. Margie was a life member of the Labor Party, a devout Christian and a fixture at St Mary's Catholic Church, Woodend in Ipswich. She was a proud teacher-librarian. Margaret was a life member of the Queensland Teachers' Union. She dedicated her life to public education and social justice. She was a formidable figure. She was the philosophical and spiritual compass of the Labor Party in Ipswich. A vice-president, treasurer or secretary of nearly every party unit and a former state conference delegate, she was an absolute treasure, and I enjoyed her wise counsel, good humour and loyal support. You could always rely upon Margie to hand out Labor Party how-to-vote cards on election day.

I was honoured to attend Margie's funeral with so many people in Ipswich. The church was nearly full. My deepest condolences go to Margie's family and her many friends. Vale, Margaret, and many thanks.