EULOGY FOR TUOTA KIRITION MEMORIAL SERVICE, NORTH WAGGA HALL. SUNDAY 16 MARCH 2025
Start: 5:30pm
Ends: 5.35pm
Well, thank you very much to Pastor Jerry (Rokosuka) and to my State colleague and Parliamentary friend, Dr Joe McGirr, to Dallas Tout, the Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga, and to each and every one of you. We are all mourning a deep, profound loss. We are gathered here this evening with heavy hearts. My name is Michael McCormack. I am the Federal Member for Riverina in the Federal Parliament. I also have the Shadow Ministerial responsibility for International Development and the Pacific. I deal with people from Kiribati a lot. I know what a beautiful family, what a beautiful island, what a beautiful nation that you people are. And the things that we have in common as Australians, with people from Kiribati, with people from throughout the blue Pacific, is faith, family and friendship.
And to that point, nobody, nobody gets to have tomorrows; we’re not guaranteed of having tomorrows. Sadly, Tuota passed away all too young, 41 years young – it seems so unfair. But we have to comfort ourselves with knowing that she's in a better place, that she lived and loved amongst us. That she contributed mightily to not only her family, not only the friendship circle, but also to the City of Wagga Wagga.
It's heavy work at Teys, it is hard work, only the best are employed by Teys. Please know that. And I know how valued she was at Teys, and I know how sad the administration at Teys are to lose one of the very best workers. And I know how sad you all are for losing one of your best friends.
She's been described as a sister, a mother, a friend, cousin, somebody who gave so much, somebody who was so selfless, and so many who came to Australia – a long, long way from Kiribati. She came here to build a better life, not necessarily for herself, but for her family and her friends back home, for her community in Kiribati.
And for that, I know they will also be shedding tears in Kiribati. As I say, it's a long, long way from Wagga Wagga. We build bridges through the blue Pacific with the Pacific Australia Labor Mobility Scheme. And in this city, which is renowned now, isn’t it Mr Mayor, as a multicultural city, the Wagga Wagga of 2025 is much, much different than it was 10 or 15 years ago.
And we welcome that, we admire that, we acknowledge that, and we want it to ever grow in the future. If there is anything that my office can do to help, we stand ready, my staff and I, to do just that. I know that counselling will be provided and is being provided.
These are very, very sad times. Know that there are friends here in Wagga Wagga to help and support you. May the memories of Tuota help to comfort you in this deep and profound time of grief and loss. Please, if there is anything that Dr Joe and I can do, and the Mayor, to help you at this time, you only have to sing out. May she rest in peace, and may we all remember her for her friendship, her smile, and what she gave during her brief time on this Earth. May she rest in peace. God bless you all.