Address to the House of Representatives, Constituency Statements, Graeme Rossiter

On 30 December last year, my electorate of Bean lost a true gentleman. Graeme Rossiter made an outstanding contribution across many fields. He was a long-term Canberran, having studied at the old Dickson high school and the Canberra College of Advanced Education, now known as the University of Canberra.

For many years, he worked as a public servant in the federal Department of Health, rising to senior positions. I came to know Graeme well in his capacity as a giant of community tennis in the ACT. Graeme first joined the Weston Creek Tennis Club back in 1982. He was president or vice president of the club for an extraordinary 25 years of service. With his leadership, his commitment, his passion and his vision, the Weston Creek Tennis Club grew to become one of the most successful and inclusive community clubs in the ACT. I enjoyed getting to know Graeme and found him to be a generous and inclusive community leader. When he stepped down as president in mid-December to focus on his health, he left behind an impressive and continuing legacy.

I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Graeme's family; his wife, Maureen; sons, Mark, Andrew, Paul and Scott; and all who mourn the loss of this deeply good man.