Debates Day 2 - Wednesday 14 February 2007
Parliamentary Record 12
Debates for 10th Assembly 2005 - 2008; 10th Assembly 2005 - 2008; Parliamentary Record; ParliamentNT
2007-02-14
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Debates
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
Darwin
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DEBATES Wednesday 14 February 2007 3899 called on to help out with nursing emergencies or she would simply rise to the occasion as a volunteer like she did during the 1998 floods. Kerry loved the Wet Season. It was her favourite time of the year, and in 1998 she got to see it in its full glory. Kerry was passionate about her country music and became a volunteer with the Katherine County Music Muster in 2000. Sharing her mothers love of country music, Katie joined Kerry as a volunteer in 2001. Kerry was involved with the Muster committee for many years, becoming Vice-President and Artist Coordinator until she involuntarily become physically incapable of pursuing the commitment and dedication required for such a role. Kerry never did do things by halves. Kerrys favourite country music artist without a doubt was their very own Katie Oliver. To see Katie become an independent country music singer was Kerrys dream. Kerry taught Katie that to make it on her own would take longer and be harder, but independence and freedom to make her own decisions as a performer was the best way for Katie to go. Together they travelled the roads, went boot scooting in Tamworth, cut the demos, sold the CDs and booked the road tour with fellow performers. Without hesitation, Katie postponed her rising career to be at her mothers side through her challenges to come. Without a doubt, we reap what we sow. Our greatest pleasure as your family and friends, Katie, will be to see you take your mums advice and continue on your path to success as you, Kerry and Roley had planned if that is what you choose to do. When you sit quietly and think about Kerry Diehm and what she was really all about, it is impossible to sum her up in a paragraph. Kerry did not mince words, as all of you would know. So, to rattle on with fancy sentences full of love and praise simply would not do. Kerry was a simple person, one with common sense, so we have chosen some words that we think explain what this incredible lady meant to so many people. While these words are read, please feel free to reflect on your own personal moments with Kerry and how she touched your life. Kerry was: giving, generous, compassionate, educated, dedicated, tireless, honest, truthful, trustworthy, loyal, practical, stubborn, a fighter, protective, strong, gentle and caring. As real as you will find, Kerry was a friend, a mate, the very best kind. So selfishly, we shed tears that Kerry has left us to join so many loved ones lost. But rest assured at the gates of Heaven, Kerry would have entered with a list of names and one condition, being that all the names on her list of people she loves that she would reserve the right to watch over us all. Kerry Diehm was one special woman. No doubt she will make one heck of a guardian angel! You did things your way and you made us all so proud. Goodbye, Kez, just for now. I want to extend particular thanks to her daughter, Katie Oliver, whose support for her mother during her illness was exceptional. Katie was her mothers carer and Kerry could not have asked more of her. She was a wonderful support during this time and put her passion for country music singing on hold to devote all of her time to her mum. Well done, Katie. You are a credit to your mum and dad. On 4 February, we saw the tragic death of a wonderful young man and great sportsperson, Mark McCasker, another tragedy to cancer. My husband, Mike, and I have known Marks mum and dad, Jo and Ray McCasker of Virginia, for many years since Jo and I first met at a caravan industry meeting and we got on so well with them both. I will never forget following the 1998 Katherine floods when we had mud and silt all over the caravan park grounds. A couple of weeks after the water dried up, the grass was growing like you would not believe right through all the dried silt. Without anyone asking, early one morning, Ray McCasker with young Mark arrived at the park, having driven from Coolalinga. He had a trailer behind with a ride-on mower and a couple of push mowers. Without any to-do, he and Mark set about mowing our park, then went on and mowed the other three caravan parks in Katherine. It took all day and they were absolutely filthy from all the fine dust, but neither Ray nor Mark complained. They slept in swags that night and packed up and went home the next day. That is the sort of people the McCaskers are. It seemed just so unfair that Mark should be stricken with cancer at such a young age. Our deepest sympathy to Jo, Ray, Daniel, Ben, Rebecca and Jessica, who will miss Mark tremendously, as will his friends and his sporting mates.