Speeches

June Hutchison OAM

Published on Fri 12 June 2020 at 1:40 pm

I cannot think of a better model of engaged and principled citizenship than June Hutchison. She influenced and inspired the civic participation of many people in my community over a long period of time and I’m very glad to be one of those people.

Mr Wilson (1:40pm) – Deputy Speaker I take this opportunity to say some words of praise and respect and gratitude for the contribution June Hutchison has made a community life in Fremantle, for which she received the Medal of the Order of Australia on Monday.

Since moving to Freo in 1983 June has been a wholehearted and indefatigable agent of social inclusion social justice and progressive change and the range of her involvement in volunteer and community roles is quite incredible.

As an activist June has been an anti-nuclear campaigner and she’s worked in support of Community Aid Abroad and the Australian Conservation Council. A teacher and librarian, June also served as president of the School Library Association and as chair of both the Fremantle Library Advisory Committee and Fremantle Arts Centre Press. From 1986 to 1991, June was a councillor in the City of Fremantle, chairing the Planning and Development Committee. In 1993 she co-founded the Fremantle Community Justice Group and in 1996 organised the Fremantle Forum on constitutional reform. In 1999 June received Fremantle’s Citizen of the Year award.

I can tell you at 93 she remains an active member of the Fremantle Labor Branch and maintains a strong focus on issues like the fair and just treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.

I cannot think of a better model of engaged and principled citizenship than June Hutchison. She influenced and inspired the civic participation of many people in my community over a long period of time and I’m very glad to be one of those people.