Tributes flow for Vince Martin
Tributes were made in both Federal and State Parliament for former Woy Woy resident, Mr Vince Martin, who passed away on March 10 this year.
Mr Vincent Joseph Martin who was a Federal Labor Member of Parliament, representing the Sydney metropolitan electorate of Banks, was farewelled by his family and friends on March 15 at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Woy Woy.
Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews said Mr Martin served the electors of Banks between October 1969 and October 1980.
He joined the ALP in July 1949, the same year the Banks electorate was established.
Mr Martin also had a long association with local registered clubs.
He served for many years as a director and bowls secretary of the Everglades Country Club.
A number of directors and members from the club attended his Thanksgiving Mass.
Prior to entering Parliament, Mr Martin worked as an officer in the Taxation Department, becoming a Commonwealth public servant when the Commonwealth Government took over the Taxation Department during the Second World War.
He ended this part of his career as a senior investigation officer.
Mr Martin was also responsible for establishing a credit union for taxation department employees.
"He remained a strong advocate for the credit union movement throughout his life," said Ms Andrews.
Mr Martin become a union member and took out membership in the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in July 1949.
"Vince came from a strong Labor party background, therefore it only seemed natural to him after joining the workforce to takeout membership with the Australian Labor Party," said Ms Andrews.
"He was secretary of the Panania branch from 1949 and he remained in that position for over 20 years," she said.
During his years at Woy Woy, Mr Martin was an active member of the Woy Woy branch of the Labor Party, holding a number of positions within the branch.
"He always worked tirelessly during every campaign," said Ms Andrews.
Throughout his adult life and right up to his last days, Mr Martin held a number of honorary positions within the ALP.
Ms Andrews said Mr Martin won pre-selection for the Federal seat and in 1969 was elected to the House of Representatives.
"The highlight of his career was being a member of the government when Gough Whitlam was Prime Minister," she said.
"During his term for Banks, Vince faced many pre-selection battles.
"They ended in 1980 when he lost a very close pre-selection," said Ms Andrews.
During his term in the House of Representatives, Mr Martin held the prestigious offices of chairman of committees and deputy speaker.
"Having had the opportunity to get to know Vince well over latter years, I firmly believe that he would have represented the constituents in his electorate very well," said Ms Andrews.
"I am sure that Vince would have left no stone unturned to assist anyone who came to him for help.
"He never lost his concern for those in our community who were not so well off, or who relied on people like him to take up issues on their behalf.
"When I was elected the Member for Peats in 1995, Vince was a tower of strength to me and he remained a tower of strength right up to the very end," she said.
As an indication of the high respect in which Vinces colleagues held him, Paul Keating, former Prime Minister of Australia, paid his last respects at Vinces Thanksgiving Mass, which was held at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Woy Woy, on March 15.
Among the many mourners on the day were a number of retired and present Federal and State parliamentarians.
They included former Federal Labor Minister Les Johnson, former Speaker and the current Member for Watson Leo Macleay, and the current member for Banks Daryl Melham.
State parliamentarians included former Minister for Health Kevin Stewart, Special Minister of State John Della Bosca, former member for East Hills Pat Rogan and the Member for Georges River Kevin Greene.
Ms Andrews said a large number of rank and file members of local branches of the Australian Labor Party also attended the funeral.
She extended her deepest sympathy to Mr Martins wife of 60 years, Jean, and their children, Anne, Denise, Tim, Greg and twins Micheal and Steve, their spouses and 14 grandchildren.
At the Thanksgiving Mass, Mr Martins eldest son, Tim, delivered a eulogy to his father.
He concluded by saying: "My friends, to quote the words my father often used many years ago from the speakers chair:
"Order. The Honourable Members time has expired."
Amanda Jackson, May 10