Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland)—A Labor and Union stalwart Marcia Atkinson, formerly of Telarah passed away earlier this year. Growing up in Beverley Hills, living next door to and often babysitting a young Morris Iemma, Marcia was ecstatic when Morris became NSW's 40th Premier and spoke fondly of him throughout her life. At her funeral Marcia's best friend Wilma Hickey described her as "a proud unionist, a proud member of the Labor Party and a proud Australian". A feminist to the core, Marcia was the first woman in Australia to represent herself in her own divorce proceedings, and she was also a fierce advocate for women's rights. She relished the chance to participate in policy making and conferences, particularly in the golden "It's Time" era of Australian politics, when so many gains were made for women in this country. Marcia ran as a Labor candidate in the 2008 local government elections, was a long-time organiser with the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (the SDA) and a member of Australian War Widows. Marcia was a matriarch, a loyal friend and a devoted mother to her two sons John and Stephen (deceased) and is sadly missed by her family and friends.