Colin Markham Death – Dead | Obituary – Passed Away
Colin Markham Death – Dead: A great loss was made known to InsideEko. As friends and families of the deceased are mourning the passing of their loved and cherished Colin Markham.
Having heard about this great loss, the family of this individual is passing through pains, mourning the unexpected passing of their beloved.
This departure was confirmed through social media posts made by Twitter users who pour out tributes, and condolences to the family of the deceased.
Sad news with the passing of Colin Markham, former member for Keira and Wollongong.
A former coal miner who had an enduring commitment to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians that continued well after his retirement from Parliament.
Col made a fantastic contribution to the region and the state and was always there with support and some words of advice and encouragement for me. He was a true fighter for working people in the Illawarra and further afield.
Col’s contribution to Wollongong and the labour movement was considerable but would not have been possible without Melissa, his boys and their families by his side.
Photo from the Illawarra Mercury when Colin and Melissa’s work with the Melanoma Foundation was recognised.
Colin Markham, with Melissa always by his side, was a proud Labor man, known for his passionate support of indigenous affairs, love of his family, love of travel, his community and the Illawarra Steelers.
I was part of the team that organised Colin’s retirement dinner and saw first hand how many people wanted to come and celebrate Colin’s Parliamentary career, including the Hon Gough Whitlam.
I was honoured to fill Colin’s vacancy on the Steelers Board, and appreciated his and Melissa’s support in my taking up the mantle on his behalf.
Sending love and condolences to Melissa and family. Rest in peace Colin.
Vale Colin Markham
Colin Markham, a great friend of The Disability Trust and the community sector is being remembered as a champion of human rights and the environment. The former Labor MP, who passed away on Sunday night was our roll of honour recipient in 2006 and first started supporting The Disability Trust back in 1987. Such was Colin’s commitment to The Disability Trust he and his wife Melissa were in attendance at our Annual General Meetings long after he retired from politics. On a personal level he will always be remembered for his kindness and willingness to help anyone who asked. Colin will be greatly missed.
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Labor Party Stalwart, Colin Markham, over the weekend.
Colin served the people of the Illawarra with distinction and was a well-respected former local MP.
He was first elected as the Member for Keira in 1988, serving for three terms. Colin also served as the Member for Wollongong from 1995, until his retirement in 2003.
He was a dedicated advocate for Indigenous Australians, and in his role as Parliamentary Secretary for Aboriginal Affairs, was instrumental in the delivery of the NSW Parliament’s historic apology to Indigenous Australians in 1997 – the first apology of any Parliament in Australia – the process of reconciliation, land rights, and the Carr Government’s Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal People.
As a trade union stalwart, Colin was equally dedicated to the rights of working people in our region.
He was also a strong advocate of the region’s sporting community, particularly rugby league and served on the board of the Illawarra Steelers, and was Chairman of the Illawarra Steelers’ Injured Players Fund.
Colin will be greatly missed by local Labor Party members, supporters and the Illawarra community.
My deepest condolences go out to Colin’s wife Melissa, and to his three sons, and grandchildren.
VALE COLIN MARKHAM
It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Colin Markham overnight. Colin rose from the coal mines as an electrician and was elected as the Labor Member for Keira in 1988 and later as the Member for Wollongong. Colin never left the working class as he rose to high office, he saw his role as one to lift and progress his working class community, to safeguard our hospitals, to support and defend the rights of our first nations people and above all else to do it with honesty and integrity. In doing so Colin has left a great legacy for our movement, an example for other leaders to follow. To Melissa, family and friends we offer our deepest condolences from the Labour Council, our affiliates and our #Uniontown.
We are still working on getting more details about the death, as a family statement on the death is yet to be released.