December 20, 2017
Political friends and rivals have joined together as one to praise the late Lady Bjelke-Petersen.
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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:
“On behalf of all Queenslanders, I want to express my sorrow and send my condolences to the family of Lady Florence ‘Flo’ Bjelke-Petersen, upon reports of her death at 97 years.
“Lady Flo, as she is fondly known, was the wife of Queensland’s longest serving Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen and brought her passions for cooking – those famous pumpkin scones – family and faith to the fore during Sir Joh’s 19-year service as Premier and 40-year service as a Member of Parliament.
“They were a loving couple and a formidable political pairing.
“Lady Flo represented Queensland in her own right serving as Senator from 1981 to 1993, and supporting many local and State-wide causes.”
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Opposition Leader & Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington:
“Lady Flo was an outstanding and much-loved Queenslander who made a wonderful contribution to the community of Kingaroy, Queensland and Australia.
“As a Senator for Queensland for 12 years, Lady Flo worked tirelessly for the betterment of rural and regional Queensland.
“She led a very full and successful life and was so-loved for her kindness, her genuine concern and care for others, her common sense and down-to-earth approach to life.
“Rest in peace Lady Flo. You were a rock of our community and will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered. I will always cherish your support and guidance.”
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Federal Agriculture Minister & Member for Maranoa David Littleproud:
“I wouldn’t be a Federal MP if it wasn’t for the Bjelke-Petersen family and my father wouldn’t have been in State politics if it wasn’t for the Bjelke-Petersens – I owe them a lot.
“My family and I joined the Nationals because of Sir Joh and Lady Flo’s dedication to Queensland.
“Their values, belief in reward for effort and commitment to community personified what being a Queenslander truly means.
“Bjelke-Petersen is a name synonymous with Queensland politics and today, the day we lost Lady Flo, we lost a trailblazer. She was a trailblazer in Queensland politics, a strong force who will never be forgotten
“My sympathies are with Bjelke-Petersen family during this difficult time of loss.
“This is also a loss for Queenslanders as we remember and honour her legacy in our great State.”
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Shadow Environment Minister David Crisafulli (via Twitter)
“The way Lady Flo made every person she spoke with feel valued … is something we will never forget.
“A State Funeral would be fitting.”
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South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell (interview with ABC – press play button)
South Burnett regional Mayor Keith Campbell says that the death of Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen has been a tragic loss for the community. pic.twitter.com/5O5zt7WC9E
— ABC News (@abcnews) December 20, 2017
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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (via Twitter)
“Joh and Flo devoted their lives to Queensland and its success and dynamism owes so much to their vision and leadership.”
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Former Queensland Premier Rob Borbidge
“While Lady Flo was best known for her husband Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s long and controversial political career, she deserves to be remembered for her own accomplishments.
“When she went to Canberra as a Senator, I think there was a view among some of the old political hands that she would be out of her depth or eaten alive by the political process down there.
“She sure taught them a trick or two, and it wasn’t long before they realised they had a very independent, intelligent, competent person who commanded a great deal of electoral support.
“What stood out about Lady Flo was her uncanny ability to relate to people.
“She was one of the most outstanding Queensland women of her generation.”
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Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie
“This is certainly the final chapter in a period of Queensland politics. There’s no doubt this is the end of a significant era in Queensland’s history.
“She supported Sir Joh through all those years and without Lady Flo, there would have been no Sir Joh.
“We obviously had our political differences, but she represented a constituency and she did so passionately.
“She was a lovely person, she was a decent person who believed in what she did.”
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Damien Tessmann, Federal Young Nationals Vice-President and former South Burnett Councillor
“Today is a very sad day for Queensland. Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen represented everything it is to be a Queenslander – passion, tenacity and loyalty. From a personal point of view she was one of my dearest supporters and gave me so much encouragement. I loved our chats about her views on the modern political challenge, her time as Queensland’s First Lady and a Senator in her own right.
“She never told the same story twice. She never failed to greet you with a smile and had the sharpest of political analysis. She unfailingly asked more questions about you than you would ever ask of her. A more genuine politician you’d go a long way to meet.
“The story that I enjoyed the most was that of the Western Australian Labor Senator Peter Walsh, who would say the most awful things about her in the Parliament because of Sir Joh. They travelled overseas on Parliamentary business and got along famously. Senator Walsh said on their return that before he got to know her he thought she was an ‘old bag’ but now thought she was a ‘nice old lady’. She replied that she didn’t know what was worse, being called an old bag or an old lady!
“When I was just 18 she was the #1 signature on my Kingaroy Shire Council nomination form. She went on to sign it first for another three elections. Her support meant so much to me.
“Lady Flo, thank you for your leadership, your friendship and the better place you left our great State in partnership with your husband. God Bless and rest well with Sir Joh.”
- Related article: Lady Bjelke-Petersen: 1920-2017
Yes, it was with complete sadness when one heard of Lady Flo’s passing yesterday. The honours and tributes that flowed last night and again today by the State and national radio, TV and newspapers are indicative of the role she played not only in our local community, but her acceptance gained right throughout the nation.
My memories go back to the 1950’s when my son Wayne and Flo’s son John were in the same classes at the Taabinga State School. My late wife, Barbara, was a personal friend of Lady Flo when each played a role in the school’s tuckshop.
In all the years that husband Joh was involved in State parliament, Lady Flo became known as the Mrs Barambah as she took many phone calls from people right across our region and always was ready to assist in every possible way.
She helped me immensely when I was editor of the South Burnett Times, and brought one up to date with all the cross fire that was developing with the advent of the Tarong power station.
I felt honoured when one had moved to Brisbane, to be asked by former Times editor John Cameron to undertake an eight-page feature on the life of husband Joh which was circulated throughout all regional newspapers in the State. Once again Lady Flo assisted me in every possible way. She will be so much missed by everyone and my heart goes out to all of the family who I got to know very well during the many times one visited the home of Bethany.