Save Our
State South Australia IncSave Our
State South Australia Inc
Dedicated to the preservation of personal freedoms, moral standards, honest responsible government and principled political behaviour for the people of South Australia
VALE Shirley STOPPEL
The following speech was given by Gerry Niblock on behalf of SOS at the funeral of our late founder Shirley STOPPEL;
We are gathered here today to remember a truly remarkable woman. It is hard at times like this to express in words what one wants to say about someone like Shirley, as words are unable to say just what a wonderful woman she was, a woman who's heart was bigger than she, a woman full of tenacity who fought, not only for her husband Hans and her family, but found the time, I know not from where, to fight for the people of this State. To try to right the wrongs in today's society. I think she went a long way to doing just that!
I first met Shirley through Save Our State, more commonly known as SOS. Shirley founded the SOS movement and remained as it's head, never missing a meeting, right up to our last meeting just last month, then 12th July. She still attended on the 20th June even though she was very sick at the time. Which just goes to show you all here today how much of a fighter she was, and how committed she was to fighting for the people of this State.
She started SOS as an organization to bring justice to the people of this State, to keep the Government honest and make them live up to their election promises. We have, through her and SOS, achieved more than you might think, because Shirley realized that through people working together change could be made! The Government did listen, and change was effected through her work!
What a woman? She was only small of stature, but when she got her teeth into something that wasn't right, look out!
She was like a Bull Terrier that wouldn't let go! Yet she had than uncanny ability to remain human, to be a wife, mother, grandmother and friend whilst fighting with every fibre of her being for the changes she considered needed to be made to make this world a better place for us all. The fight goes on right now because of Shirley.
There may be some on North Terrace that think they can rest easier now that Shirley will no longer be heard on the airwaves, or be seen on the steps of their bastion of power, making them stand up and listen, masking them more accountable for their actions, but Shirl, you will never be forgotten by those that knew you, for those that knew you, knew a woman with a heart as big as this world we live in.
Shirl you will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by us all. For those who knew you, we were enriched by your presence. For those that didn't, you made a difference to their lives without them even knowing it.
If only everyone had as much get up and go, as much heart, and as much gumption as this little lady, the world would be a better place.
Shirl, I for one am glad I had the chance to meet you - you made one hell of a difference!
You were truly a wonderful person - may you go in peace Shirl? Maybe he needs you more than we, and that's why he's called for your help?
Goodbye Shirl, and thank you for everything
Ivy Skowronski.
It is with great sadness that we see the passing of Ivy, she was well known to SOS and spoke at several of our meetings and was a great friend to our founder Shirley Stoppel. Ivy you will be greatly missed, not only by us here at SOS but the people of this State.
Go with honour Ivy.
Last updated September 2006