Wednesday, 20 March 2024

Members statements

Gael Emond

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (09:43): Today I rise to pay tribute to the well-lived and well-loved life of Gael Patricia Emond. Aunty Gael was the second-eldest daughter of Fred and Monica Krausgrill, and her older sister Glenda, my mum, recalls the many times Gael’s mischief would often land them both in trouble when they were growing up. While raising her family with husband Geoff, Gael worked in the education sector supporting children with special needs and developed strong lifelong bonds with the students and their families.

It was thanks to a childhood filled with a love of music and performance, with fortnightly musical sessions in the family home, that as an adult Gael was motivated to make an extraordinary contribution to the community arts sector in Bendigo, which I want to honour today. Through decades of volunteer service to the community arts sector, serving on the committees of the then Strathfieldsaye municipal brass band and the Bendigo Theatre Company, Gael devoted countless hours week in, week out to both those community organisations, who were stronger and better thanks to Gael’s time, talents and commitment and provided a community-based pathway for many talented artists to start their journey.

Aunty Gael was also someone you wanted to spend time with because she was just so much fun. But what I loved more about her was that she treated everyone equally. My love and sympathy to Geoff, Matt, Chris and Kate and their families. Rest peacefully, dear heart.