Private Members Statement
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields) (12:34): Sometimes in life the best and most wonderful friendships develop in circumstances that one cannot ever imagine or foresee.
My friendship with the late Mrs Diana Percival is one of those special things. In many respects, our lives and upbringing could not have been more different.
Diana was born in Worthing, England, the daughter of a prominent physician and migrated to Australia with her family at the age of one. In 1936, Diana's family purchased a property off Sackville Street, Ingleburn, where she enjoyed horseriding, tennis and polo cross. In those days Ingleburn was very much a rural town.
Diana attended Ascham, one of Sydney's most prestigious schools, as a boarder where she excelled in athletics and sport. Diana experienced World War II when she was evacuated from her school because of the threat of bombing. For a period of time she lived with her family on Palm Island where her father practiced his profession.
Diana then went onto marry her husband, Greg, in 1951. He was a successful local businessman, long‑term alderman and highly respected Mayor of Campbelltown. Greg later became a distinguished member of the Legislative Council. Diana and Greg spent 60 full and wonderful years together before Greg passed away in 2011.
As a recognition of Greg's service to our community the new Ingleburn library and community centre were both named in his honour. These much-loved and valued public assets are places of knowledge and civic engagement. It is appropriate to have them named after a public figure who possessed those personal qualities.
Diana raised three children: Virginia, Drew and Susan. They are here in the Chamber. Diana immersed herself in civic life. She became a greatly respected member of our community in her own right through her many groups, organisations and committees.
Later, Diana's family grew and she became a much-loved grandmother and great-grandmother. In comparing Diana's life and upbringing to mine you will find no similarities—and that is without mentioning the almost 50-year age gap between us.
How then did Diana and I form a friendship? I am not really sure that I can trace the origin. Perhaps it was seeing Diana down the main street of Ingleburn with her son, Drew, or daughter Virginia. Perhaps it was at a Campbelltown Council civic function or perhaps it was through Virginia organising a carpark underneath this building to assist Diana in attending a former member's luncheon. Perhaps it was through her grandson Scott.
At any rate I came to know Diana and grew to love her company and to respect her, because to know Diana Percival was to respect her. She was a lovely lady who was a wonderful host and a great conversationalist with an intelligent, inquiring and inquisitive mind. Late afternoon gin and tonics in Diana's lounge room were always full of laughs and lively conversation. Such occasions were of course preceded with a knock on her door and followed by an announcement, "It's the Labor Party."
Politics featured in our conversations ever so lightly and never in a partisan way. Our conversations also roamed from travel to current events, our respective family histories and personal news.
Indeed, one of my greatest joys was introducing Diana to my wife, Anna, and daughter, Audrey. I will never forget Diana's warm embrace of me and my family.
My last memory of Diana was visiting her on the Monday before she passed away. While she was clearly unwell she was in fine form. As always our conversation flowed easily and casually, but that is the case for people who value each other's company.
I was there perhaps 30 minutes when the lift servicing her bedroom arrived. Out of the lift came her much-loved daughter-in-law, Julie, and great-grandson Archie. Her eyes lit up and her smile beamed and I knew it was time for me to go.
The memory of Diana, surrounded by her family—including Virginia and Susan, looking immaculate—overlooking her wonderful and beautiful garden, is one that I will keep and treasure.
To Virginia, Drew, Susan and their families, I can only offer my sincerest condolences. You have lost a dear mother, I have lost a dear friend and our community has lost one of its finest members.
A generational chapter has closed with your mother's passing, but I know the dedication to our community, as demonstrated by both your mother and father, will continue to live on. May the memory of Diana Percival be honoured and treasured forever.
