Legal and Social Issues Committee
Inquiry into Anti-Vilification Protections
Mr FOWLES (Burwood) (10:48):(By leave) I am grateful to the member for Sandringham for the opportunity to conclude the remarks I was making. I was talking about Halina Strnad and saying that I know she will be missed by many who spent time in or with the Burwood branch, including Janet Chiron, Michael Watson, Anna Burke, Christine Chapel and Halina’s long-time best friend and comrade, the wonderful Maree Hodgens. And she will be missed by me. It was a special once-in-a-lifetime friendship and one of the highlights of my time as the member for Burwood. I will always remember and cherish her incredible passion and humanity. On behalf of the entire Burwood community, I extend my sincere condolences to everyone who loved her. She died as she lived: with passion, purpose and pride, with bravery and with dignity. Vale, Halina Strnad—survivor, advocate, hero.