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Tuesday 12 December 2023
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Peta Murphy dies Dunkley MP Peta Murphy died surrounded by family last Monday, 4 December. Murphy (pictured left at a Nairm Marr Djambana event in 2022) was rediagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. Pictures: Yanni
Tributes flow for ‘courageous’ Peta Murphy Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au PETA Murphy’s first speech as federal member for Dunkley quoted her literary hero, Pippi Longstocking. Pippi was being warned by her friend Annika to refrain from taking on “the world’s strongest man” in competition. “Man, yes,” said Pippi. “But I am the world’s strongest girl, remember that!” The speech came just weeks after Murphy received a devastating cancer re-diagnosis. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, and again in
2019 around the time she was elected the first ever female member for Dunkley. Murphy carried Pippi Longstocking’s attitude with her during her four years in Parliament. In spite of deteriorating health, she continued to work hard for the people in her electorate who needed a fighter on their side. Last Monday, 4 December, Peta Murphy died. She was just 50 years old. In the week since Murphy’s death, tributes to her have poured in across the country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was the first to declare his admiration
for Murphy on the day of her death. “While Peta’s was a life so very well lived it is hard to come to terms with the fact she is no longer with us - passing at just 50 years of age. Far too young with so much more to offer,” he said. “Peta Murphy was brave, she was courageous, and she was loved. Peta Murphy was the strongest of local members, the most inspiring of colleagues, and the very best kind of friend. “As someone who inspired such affection and respect in the hearts of so many, she was never alone.” Murphy was a very familiar face
around Frankston, having first run for Dunkley in 2016 prior to her 2019 election. She met countless people during her time in politics - almost all who met her have spoken glowingly of her kindness and compassion in the days since her death. In her final moments her wish to be surrounded at home by those she held most dear was granted. Murphy’s husband of 24 years, Rod Glover, released a joint statement alongside her parents Bob and Jan and her sisters Jodi and Penni on the day of her death. “We loved her deeply and are so, so proud of her achievements, her character and her courage. She
was indeed the strongest girl of all. Still giving sassy advice until the very end - she died the way she lived - with dignity and strength and a touch of sarcasm to boot,” they said. In her maiden speech Murphy spoke of her love for her family. She called her husband “compassionate” and “brilliant”. “He’s my most constructive critic, my most loyal supporter, and my greatest friend. I wouldn’t be standing here without him and I wouldn’t want to,” she said. Murphy shared two dogs with her husband: Bert and Ernie. Continued page 3
