Madeleine King (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is with deep sadness that I record in parliament the passing of Dr Erica Smyth, AC. Erica was a great Western Australian who leaves an indelible mark on the resources sector of Australia. Erica was one of the original geologists, and the first female geologist, who helped uncover the vast Western Australian iron ore deposits of Newman that would eventually underpin, to this day, Australia's national economy. She was a trailblazer for women in the resources sector.

Raised in Geraldton, her first job was cleaning crayfish tails on her school holidays. After completing a science degree at the University of Western Australia, she began her career in the seventies as an exploration geologist across the Pilbara. For seven years she was the principal geologist for what is now the world's biggest mining company, BHP, the big Australian. Later in her career she moved to senior roles at Woodside, where she became a vital part of the effort to grow Australia's gas exports to the region, providing the energy security the region needs.

Her contribution to the resources sector was recognised by a lifetime achievement award in 2010 from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA. She was the first woman to be acknowledged in this manner. It says a lot about Erica that she had bestowed upon her Australia's highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia, for her contribution to the mining industry, to science and to charities. A diabetic whose life was saved by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, she donated her time and service to the RFDS as a non-executive director. She was on countless boards including the board of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, based at UWA, an institution I'm very proud to have had a longstanding relationship with.

I first met Erica when I was at the university, where we both had started as members of the UWA senate. Erica was an established leader in the resources industry, and I was just an undergraduate. My then undergraduate colleagues and I learnt so much from Erica and continued to do so throughout our careers. A mentor and a friend, she was an inspiration and leaves a great legacy. My sincere condolences go to her loved ones.

I would also like to mark the passing of John Donaldson, a dedicated member of the Rockingham-Safety Bay branch of the Australian Labor Party. John had worked tirelessly on state and federal Labor Party campaigns since the fifties. He campaigned for Kim Beazley senior, Kim Beazley junior, Gary Gray, Alan Carpenter, Mark McGowan, Roger Cook and, of course, for me. I'm very grateful for his contribution to my campaign. He poured his heart and soul into local campaigning. Labor depends on good, hard-working people just like John to fight local campaigns to get into government to support working people. He will be dearly missed, and it was my great honour and pleasure to be at his 100th birthday celebration recently at Gracehaven Aged Care in Rockingham. I want to thank the family for inviting me, and I want to pass on my condolences to his daughter, Denise, who is another much-valued member of my branch. My condolences to all who loved John.