Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (18:31): I am honoured to speak about a dearly departed Labor stalwart, committed family man, much-loved community member and my very dear friend Walter Edward Glynn—or Wal, as he was known to everyone. A towering man, Wal would command the presence of any room with his old-fashioned charm, quick wit and clever conversation. He was as pragmatic as he was charismatic. His greatest love was Nell, his wife of 70 years, and their family. This was closely followed by the Catholic Church, Collingwood Football Club and the Australian Labor Party. Wal and his wife had only recently celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary. Theirs was a true love story that never faltered and his passing gave true meaning to their marriage vows of "till death do us part".
I am told that when Wal joined Nell at Carrington Care, they were in separate rooms on separate floors. That would not keep them apart. Wal would head off to Nell's room in his wheelchair. When he got to Nell's room he would say, "You have a visitor" and their faces would light up being in each other's presence again. Their was a very special union and they had nine children: Anthony, Michael, Catherine, Greg, Bernard, Monica, Jim, Lucy and Elizabeth Marie, who sadly passed away aged three months. Family was everything to Wal. Nothing brought him more pride and joy than being with his 26 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Family sustained Wal throughout his long life. They were his world and he was theirs. Wal was the eldest of six children. He grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Sandringham. He did not often speak about his childhood during the Great Depression. Times were tough.
Perhaps this most difficult economic period helped shape Wal to be generous and empathetic. In the 1940s his parents purchased a milk run in Bendigo. It was an early start at around 3.00 a.m. Wal's dad had an offsider who rarely showed up, so it was then up to Wal to do the milk run. It became a source of resentment, until one day he ran away from home. He jumped on a train and made it to Spencer Street station before turning back. Not much later, at age 19 in 1953, Wal joined the Citizens Military Force, now called the Army Reserve. He joined the regular army on 19 February 1954. Wal was in the army for 24 years and three months. He entered as a private soldier in the infantry corps and moved up to sergeant. Wal saw active service during the Malayan Emergency, being posted only 10 days after his marriage to Nell on 17 September 1955.
Wal and Nell moved around often—such was army life. He was a true patriot who loved and served his country despite the personal impact on his life. In 1978 Wal and his family moved to Ingleburn and lived there for 33 years. They were devoted Catholics who attended mass every week. An integral part of the parish, Wal volunteered for the St Vincent de Paul Society and also became an acolyte. Through their enduring faith, Wal and Nell forged strong friendships. More recently, they were welcomed to the parish of St Paul's at Camden. Wal was a member of the choir.
Football was never far from Wal's mind. A staunch Collingwood supporter, Wal followed the club throughout his life. I will always remember the delight of hearing Wal's mobile ringtone,Good Old Collingwood Forever. In fact, the only thing Wal loved more than Collingwood was when Collingwood beat Carlton. Wal was instrumental in starting two local football clubs, the Ingleburn Magpies and the Minto Hawks—both named after teams that he had played for. The annual Best and Fairest Award is named in his honour. Wal was a great friend of the Ingleburn Magpies Junior AFL Club and that community honoured Wal's passing with a moving tribute, recalling Wal as a man of deep faith, strong values, lifelong service and unwavering loyalty to both his family and his beloved Magpies. The club wrote:
He believed in grassroots sport as a foundation for strong communities and healthy young people. His support, guidance and quiet encouragement meant a great deal to many, and his presence will be deeply missed.
Wal was a respected and long-serving councillor with me at Campbelltown City Council, first elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. His service to the Labor Party goes back to the 1970s and he was rightfully given life membership for his dedication and commitment over so many decades. Throughout his time in local government, Wal was widely recognised for his tireless advocacy for young people and veterans, and for his genuine commitment to community service. Wal's generosity was evident in all that he did. Most memorably, he won $100,000 when he appeared on Millionaire Hot Seat and selflessly donated the entire prize to the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Villawood. The donation says it all about Wal.
Wal was also a cherished and long standing member of the Campbelltown Theatre Group. He joined the group in 1989, appearing in the productions of Old Time Music Hall,Calamity Jane and Oklahoma! His stage presence, wit and warmth made Wal a firm audience favourite. He was also a patron of the theatre. Like so many in our community, I will cherish fond memories of Wal. I will forever cherish his loyalty, his wisdom and his friendship. Wal loved his family and his friends, and they loved him back. He passed away at the age of 92 surrounded by those he loved most. I will miss seeing Wal, his six-foot frame with white hair. I will miss hearing Good Old Collingwood Forever on his mobile. But, fundamentally, I will—we all will—miss my friend. Rest in peace, Wal.
