Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Sarah Carter

Katie HALL (Footscray) (13:33): Sarah Carter always knew what to say or do, and it is very hard to know what to say or do when we are all so bereft. The outpouring of grief from across our community has been overwhelming. Sarah loved the inner west and the inner west loved Sarah. She led with empathy and purpose – she had that potent Labor combination – and she lit up a room, and the values that guided her were rock solid. When you have rock-solid values you turn up and you get things done and you bring people with you. To watch Sarah work was a masterclass in attention to detail and strategy. She had a way during her 16 years on council of staring nonsense in the eye and saying ‘Not today’. As a friend, she was kind to a fault. She was funny and warm and cheeky. She was beautiful. Our last messages included dancing emojis, talk of happy futures, housing policy, that we missed each other and that we were overdue for a catch-up. My deepest condolences to Sarah’s mum, sisters and loved ones. It is unsettling, unfair and confusing, but what an extraordinary gift it was to have had her. If you lead with purpose and kindness, then you will live a life like Sarah Carter’s. Vale, Sarah.