Fond farewell to Ada and Reg
This week the North West lost two of her citizens who did so much to improve the quality of life for so many people and who helped to develop the North West.
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Others talked, they did it.
Ada Miller and Reg Hookey both came from different backgrounds and cultures but in their own way contributed so much to the development of the north west of our state.
Reg was buried on Tuesday.
I first got to know Reg and his wife Mandy together with their children during my frequent visits to Doomadgee when as Minister for Mines and Energy I had the political task and responsibility of getting the Century Mine up and running against much political opposition.
However in Reg Hookey I found a staunch ally and our friendship developed from that time on.
Reg was proud of his Aboriginal heritage and could see the benefits of a major employment project for his people almost on his doorstep.
Reg went on to become a successful businessman.
I often turned to Reg and Mandy for advice and assistance and it was always forthcoming.
Reg will be missed by Sandra and I as well as so many people in the area but his family can rest in the knowledge that he served his people well and was respected by so many.
I am certain he is now in God’s care.
On Monday morning Sandra and I attended the funeral service of Ada Miller
It is on occasions such as this that you appreciate the calibre of people who developed the north west and made such a massive contribution to our way of life.
Ada Miller was an amazing woman.
Her roots were in Camooweal but she had a great interest in the people of the inland and the bush.
She was truly amazing in that she was the wife of the Manager of one of the largest cattle properties in the district but she was a true friend of Aboriginal people and this was certainly on display at her funeral service.
Ada Miller was a strong woman, with strong opinions and active in the CWA, the Mount Isa City Council, the old Country Party and many other organisations besides being a successful business woman.
Ada and I certainly had our political differences but I always had a great respect and affection for this champion of the bush who could articulate the problems and concerns of people of the Inland to Prime Ministers down.
I congratulate the North West Star for the feature which they did on Ada Miller.
They highlighted the role which she played in numerous organisations.
She was a woman who was recognised by her country when she was awarded the OAM and a lady who will be remembered by so many citizens of the Outback.
One sad note was that as a long time Alderman of the Mount Isa City Council there didn’t appear to be anybody representing the City Council at her funeral.
Goodbye Ada and thank you for the contribution which you made to our community, you were a legend.
We all know you are now in God’s care.
Tony McGrady
Mount Isa
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People had plenty to say on the fuel $3 a litre story.
Kerri Gerchow Well done United Petroleum....closed a great cafe and showers and now price gouging. There’s no places for truckies to pull up now along the Landsborough. The Government should be looking into this as part of their fatigue management laws and COR Laws they brought in.
Graeme Thrupp Look at number of fuel stops unmanned, overheads will kill it every time. No good blaming the government for fatigue. A person may fail many times but is not a failure until they blame someone else.
Pat Wilson Fuel on Norfolk Island is only $2.30 litre
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
