Word has reached us that Chief Minister Gallagher is this morning naming a bridge after the late great Jim Murphy.
It’s the crossing of Gungahlin Drive over Ginninderra Drive, so a big honour for the big man.
Weekly Newsletter
Every Thursday afternoon, we package up the most-read and trending RiotACT stories of the past seven days and deliver straight to your inbox..UPDATE: Katy Gallagher’s office have sent through this pic of the Chief Minister and the Murphy family out at the site:
Further update: The Chief Minister’s release is now available:
“Jim Murphy made a significant contribution to our community and was a strong advocate of Canberra and I am honoured to be able to name this bridge to remember Mr Murphy’s legacy for many years to come,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister was joined by Jim Murphy’s wife, Margaret Murphy to officially name the bridge.
Jim Murphy passed away two years ago and was best known for his network of businesses in the ACT.
“Jim Murphy also had a key role in developing awareness of charities, and the development of local sport and the church,” the Chief Minister said.
“Through all these aspects of his life, Jim Murphy helped raise the national and international profile of Canberra.
“It has been two years since Jim passed away and while his legacy is still strongly felt throughout the ACT, it is a fitting tribute to Jim’s standing in the community to have a piece of vital infrastructure named after him.
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What’s Your opinion?
Big Jim Murphy gets a bridge
Serious point….is that the bridge that IS moving away from GDE?
The bump is getting pretty bad now, wouldn’t like to cross it on a motorbike.
PBO said :
Legal drug dealer? Honestly? What – because booze and cigarettes were previously unavailable until Jim arrived on the scene? That’s pretty poor…
mossrocket said :
This is not quite right, Bambino. You don’t get a free pass for your faults and publicity for your good deeds just because you’ve died. Jim, like all of us, was no doubt a complex person with many sides to his character. Nothing wrong with memorialising him for his charity work but no point in ignoring his faults either. That’s just as unfair to the man.
mossrocket said :
Boom boom
Until I read on, I thought it was one of the bridges at Fyshwick – no good reason why they shouldn’t all look much the same, I suppose. Nice for the Murphy family, anyhow.
Has/will Chris Peters be getting a similar tribute (apologies if I have missed it)?
While we’re on this sad theme, we have Dame Pattie Menzies House and now the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion – so I hope Hazel will be getting a suitable tribute from the Gallagher Government.
Is that the bridge that collapsed under its own weight?
Just when you think this place couldn’t get any lower and then BAM! Nothing says class more than laying into someone’s who’s passed. All for the sake of a laugh. Dwell in the achievements of your mediocracy and let a man who probably gave more than yourselves to whatever they may be, political or charity to rest in peace.
Dear god of irony, let there be a “Don’t drink and Drive” sign right next to the Jim Murphy bridge…
muntychops said :
Good Afternoon
Please explain how suggesting the entire interchange to be named after Mr J Murphy is in fact lacking respect.
Pitchka said :
God there are some disrespectful people on here, he may have been the guy who tried to get Mark Parton into local politics but he also funded many charities and did plenty for the community.
Show some respect you ingrate.
There are now two side by side bridges in that location (since the google photo was taken the GDE has been duplicated). What will the other bridge be called.
Primal said :
He he, love it.
PBO said :
Surely it would have to be a Philip Nitschke off-ramp?
La_Tour_Maubourg said :
Or a roundabout…
Wouldn’t “Jim Murphy Interchange” be more of a tribute?
Naming it after a legal drug dealer who flooded the ACT with cheap alcohol and was a political player in his spare time, good work. I am sure he was a good guy but come on!
Maybe we can rename Belconnen way the Philip Nitschke expressway?