24 March 2009

Margaret Spalding passes away

| johnboy
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The ABC’s 666 is reporting that Margaret Spalding, the litigious CEO of Koomarri and architect of the Narrabundah Longstay Caravan Park debacle, was recalled to the almighty yesterday.

Cause of death is unknown, described as sudden.

Condolences go to her family and friends.

John Mackay on 666 is claiming he was responsible for the caravan park business, and yes, she was a saint.

(Oh, and none of them had any idea what Consolidated Builders were going to do with the site, honest)

UPDATED: The Canberra Times has a short note, with a promise of more reporting tomorrow.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Chief Minister Stanhope has made a lengthy statement of condolence.

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She had suffered for years from some quite significant health problems, which may have contributed to her state of health, according to reports in CT. Better we speculate about what’s better documented.

Madman said :

I heard she committed suicide…

Speculation does nobody any good when it is about a death.

I heard she committed suicide…

Memorial service will be held on Monday – details in the notices section of Saturday’s Canberra Times.

i knew margaret quite well, for many years. R.I.P margaret. Both you and your work will not be forgotten

I-filed said :

btw she died, jb, she didn’t “pass away”. Why the “noice” euphemism in the headline? :]

depends on how you were brought up. I say passed away or on their passing.

Have the funeral details been released yet?

Jumping to conclusions, I’m really sorry Margaret felt unable to ask a close friend to share her problems, and help guide her to a satisfying resolution.

In the same vein, this should not be visited on the 2CC guy.

btw she died, jb, she didn’t “pass away”. Why the “noice” euphemism in the headline? :]

How she died isn’t the issue. And ‘hands up’ anyone that hasn’t made a mistake or a poor decision…

A person that helped those who couldn’t help themeselves live a better life in our community has passed away. I didn’t know Ms Spalding but I think we all all the poorer for her passing.

grunge_hippy8:58 pm 24 Mar 09

whats to say that the any stress she was under due to her current situation didnt cause her to have a heart attack or something?

Bundybear said :

Emlyn Ward @28 Is it relevant to point out that you don’t know me, have any insight into who I am and how I live my life, and that you should STFU until you have something FACTUAL and productive to say? The residents at the Longstay are the same mix of society you might find in just about any suburb of Canberra.

I doubt that anyone here at the Longstay gets any pleasure from the death of this lady, even though many had difficult interactions with her and Koomarri. Condolences to the family.

+1

Emlyn Ward @28 Is it relevant to point out that you don’t know me, have any insight into who I am and how I live my life, and that you should STFU until you have something FACTUAL and productive to say? The residents at the Longstay are the same mix of society you might find in just about any suburb of Canberra.

I doubt that anyone here at the Longstay gets any pleasure from the death of this lady, even though many had difficult interactions with her and Koomarri. Condolences to the family.

As a side note was it any coincidence that Koomarri employed an ex corrections officer as the day to day manager. We had a good laugh as he was on first name basis with a number of residents. Some were rather uncomfortable to meet up with him on the outside.

Emlyn Ward said :

Is it relevant to point out that the longstay caravan park is a nest of thieves and a hive of criminal activity?
It’s shame they didn’t all get turfed.

Yeah. KILL THE GYPSIES!!!

Emlyn Ward said :

Is it relevant to point out that the longstay caravan park is a nest of thieves and a hive of criminal activity?
It’s shame they didn’t all get turfed.

oh, really?

care to substantiate that with some hard evidence?

I know, all of the families that are there after being displaced from their rentals after the fires are all evil, and deserve to be there?

and there are so many fine rental places around town in the low to middle income bracket, are there?

Emlyn Ward said :

Is it relevant to point out that the longstay caravan park is a nest of thieves and a hive of criminal activity?
It’s shame they didn’t all get turfed.

And move where? Next door to you?

Proposterous!

Is it relevant to point out that the longstay caravan park is a nest of thieves and a hive of criminal activity?
It’s shame they didn’t all get turfed.

Foo,

Not everyone is familiar with the story so context is useful, nor is it news if you leave it for a while.

Well said Foo.
Let’s remember a lovely lady who earned an Order of Australia for work in our community.
She was a mother, doting grandmother, friend to many,and not too bad a golfer.
She will be missed.

And what’s really disappointing is that on the passing of a notable Canberran, we spend more time discussing what was said and how and by whom, rather than expressing our sympathy or just keeping our mouths shut.

“Margaret Spalding was an outstanding Canberran who worked tirelessly for over 3 decades to improve the life of those who are unable to advocate for themselves. She will be greatly missed,” Mr Stanhope said. And maybe that’s all that needed to be said.

JB has been totally fair to Margaret Spalding, hell he even moderated my comment!

amarooresident21:13 pm 24 Mar 09

Foo sums up the issue perfectly. It’s all about tone.

When you describe someone as litigious and the architect of a debacle, and close with a sarcastic jibe (honest) in what’s essentially an obituary, it’s not really decent form. I think that’s what people have taken exception to, and I for one sympathise with their view. Anyone familiar with the story doesn’t need to be reminded, least of all her friends and family who will no doubt come across this.

The “story” here is the sudden death of a respected member of the community, you can’t leave it at that for 24 hours? As a simple exercise, how about you consider how you’d feel if you saw those words printed describing a member of your family just after they pass away? Or yourself? Anyway, despite your best efforts, I’m sure she’s touched the lives of many Canberrans in a positive way and will be remembered kindly by them.

Condolences to her sons.

I find the article to be in poor taste – the last line in particular.
A death notice is not the place for snide remarks.

This isn’t even comparable to Germaine Greer/Steve Irwin, that is ridiculous. Steve Irwin was not in the middle of legal prceedings from what I recall, and while his death was sudden the cause was very obvious at the time.

The fact that this horrible turn of events has happenend in the middle of a court case raises many questions amongst the community.

I wonder what Mike Jeffreys has to say about all this?

Probably ‘no comment’ at this stage.

Johnboy merely presented the facts in the post, I don’t think it was in poor taste.

I too immediately thought when I heard the news that Ms Spalding’s death is likely to be suicide – otherwise they would have mentioned a cause of death.

Hear that JB – you’re being compared to Germaine Greer, I guess that means you have finally “Made it” 🙂

I-filed – Show me where JB is disrespectful..

Danman said :

How is that poor form. Danman

In the same way that Germaine Greer came out in nasssteh mode 24 hours after Steve Irwin’s death. JB should have posted condolences only, and left picking over the carcass to another post … and it isn’t as though he is on a weekly or even daily print deadline, which might have drive an earlier mention of the caravan park issue …

I knew Margaret and worked with her on several disability issues over the years. She was a lovely woman and my family’s condolences go out to her family, friends and colleagues.

Interesting to read the response at #3 – I just heard the news on 666 and must admit that the way it was reported, Audrey Fagan immediately sprang to mind :(.

where is johnboy showing poor form? I made a comment that wasn’t linked to his comment, rather, an observation of my own.

The consolidated builders reference is very much correct. No-one knew what they were going to do. They could have kept the residents, they could have removed them. It wasn’t the place of koomari to dictate the terms of the sale, just to advise the best course of action for the welfare of the residents.

margaret always tried to find the good in everyone she met.

Growling Ferret12:08 pm 24 Mar 09

I thought JB’s comments were not OTT.

I had little idea of who Margaret Spalding was, JB’s comments provide context of her recent media coverage.

Its not as if he paid someone $15k for alleged nude photos of the lass.

I had a go at JB over a similar article relating to the death of Peter Leonard, it got heated. In hindsight I may have been a little close to the subject matter and overeacted. While I didn’t appreciate his slant on the story I guess he was entitled to put his spin on it.

This story was in the news this morning, it’s of local interest and I have heard Maragret Spaulding’s name dropped several times in other media over the past few weeks, so really he has every right to report on it if he feels it’s newsworthy.

I wouldn’t want to speculate on anything about this right now but it will be interesting to see what, if any, facts come up over the next few days in relation to this.

To quote JB – Condolences go to her family and friends

How is that poor form.

JB is only reporting the news, not creating it…
I guess all reports of this in national media outlets are poor form as well ?

Bloody PC Police.

peterh – I agree, pity though, when you’re so high profile, people only notice your existence when you do not step correct, and seem to forget the years of prior service up to that point.

Poor form Johnboy.

Poor form Johnboy. You should have more respect for a lady who will be a big loss to the Canberra Community. May she rest in peace, and may you be haunted by your poor taste.

colourful sydney racing identity11:22 am 24 Mar 09

I see no problem with what johnboy wrote – why are you giving him a hard time?

regardless of what happened with the long stay park, she was a great contributor to the community, assisting in gaining better visibility to the needs and desires of many of the disabled people who now feel that they are a part of the community, not outsiders. She deserved her award and i am sorry to hear of her passing. My condolences to her family.

George said :

I am not sure what motivates someone to dance on someone’s grave.

Who is dancing on someone’s grave?

Now… what could we write about Johnboy when he dies.. you’re as bad as that idiot on 2CC.

Rest in peace Ms Spaulding. My thoughts are with your family.

I am not sure what motivates someone to dance on someone’s grave.

Hope we find out the cause of death soon. Speculating that we have another Audrey Fagan has already begun.

+1

That is very sad.

Not the time to be regurgitating that story JB.
Let it rest for while.
Show some respect for a lady who did so much for the Canberra community.

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