GARDEN PARTY “A RESOUNDING SUCCESS!”
Some four hundred guests descended on a quiet property in Dural to celebrate Philip Ruddock MP becoming the third longest serving Federal MP since Federation.
Only Sir Earle Page (42 years) and William Hughes (51 years 7 months) remain ahead of him.
The lovely home of Dural residents, Helen and Peter McNamee was generously offered for the function which was organised by a team of local Liberal Party members, lead by former Hornsby Councillor Felicity Findlay.
Tony Abbott MP, Federal Opposition Leader together with Federal and State MP’s including Bronwyn Bishop MP, Shadow Minister for Seniors, Senator David Johnston Shadow Minister for Defence, Senator George Brandis Shadow Attorney General, Ray Williams, State Member for Hawkesbury and Greg Smith Epping MP Shadow State Attorney General were on hand to enjoy the occasion.
Mr Abbott, whose arrival brought forth a rousing cheer from the assembled crowd, stressed the importance he places on having access to experienced people such as Philip Ruddock, indeed he acknowledged him as Australia’s best Immigration Minister and made particular mention of his work as Attorney General in the area of national security.
In a wide ranging speech, Mr Abbott criticised the present government for policy-making on the run, ill thought out schemes and huge public debt. He likened these times to the Whitlam years, amusing his audience with a comparison of Rex Garrett to Rex O’Connor.
Guests from many areas of Mr Ruddock’s political life rubbed shoulders and swapped stories of their personal association with him. Former State and Federal MP’s including Lerryn Mutton and the Hon Alan Cadman mixed with diplomatic representatives and senior religious figures.
Some folk who had been part of the by-election campaign for Parramatta when Mr Ruddock entered Parliament in 1973, swapped anecdotes with current supporters who man polling booths in the Berowra electorate.
Members of a variety of ethnic groups who had dealt with Mr Ruddock when he held Ministerial responsibility for Immigration and Multicultural affairs attended to pay their respects. Sri Lanka, Lebanon and China were particularly well-represented.
One highly respected elder of the Queensland community made the journey south specifically to attend, and the first indigenous Australian Cabinet Minister, former WA Parliamentarian, Ernie Bridge made the trek from his home State.
The Ruddock family was equally well-represented. Four generations stepped onto the podium for photographs – Mr Ruddock’s last remaining aunt and uncle (Iona & Ken Andrews), his wife Heather and sister Jan, together with daughters Kirsty and Caitlin and their husbands with grandchildren, Kiana, Kalia and Archie bringing a very youthful blend to the mix.
In his address, Philip made special mention of his wife of 39 years, Heather, who had been a supportive and involved spouse, always ready to give him her opinion on current issues, and always prepared to deal with the difficulties his political role had brought to their lives, particularly the lengthy absences when their girls were young.
Politically, Mr Ruddock said he sensed the electorate was growing disenchanted with the Rudd Government and the tide was beginning to turn.
‘With Tony Abbott bringing his strong leadership style to a Coalition brimming with policy initiatives and energy, I am delighted to be part of this team and continue to look forward to contributing to the return of a Liberal Federal Government.’