Helen Shardey calls it a day
FOR Helen Shardey, giving her valedictory speech in State Parliament this week was "a bitter-sweet experience".
FOR Helen Shardey, giving her valedictory speech in State Parliament this week was “a bitter-sweet experience.
The long-time Member for Caulfield said she would miss the company of the many people who had contributed to her life over the past 14-and-a-half years she had been in the public eye, but also looked forward to resuming her private life more fully.
While not Jewish herself, in the Jewish community, hers was a familiar face at everything from a shul service to an exhibition launch.
In her parliamentary swan-song on Monday, Shardey paid tribute to Liberal Leader Ted Baillieu, “a friend¬† and a colleague for over 20 years and a person I can truly call a mentor. He is the most civil, passionate and sincere person I know.”
The mother of three and grandmother of five said: “I am happy that hopefully my life will perhaps change a little more and be a bit more relaxed, with time to meet some new challenges, to catch up with¬† some very neglected friends and to spend time with family, and especially the small people in my life, who are also very young.”
Shardey has passed the political baton to David Southwick, who will square off in Caulfield against ALP challenger Heather Abramson in the November 27 election.
PETER KOHN
PHOTO: Outgoing Caulfield MLA Helen Shardey
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