There was nothing too small for Simon to take on, he listened and cared for the community – everyone counted. Simon’s electoral door was always open. We were consistently told to ‘serve the community’ it became our mantra.
Many will write and hear about Simon’s contribution to Australia. As head of the ACTU, Simon led the way for dramatic reforms in the union movement.
Later as a minister in the Hawke-Keating and then Rudd-Gillard-Rudd governments, he impacted on regional affairs, primary industries, and free trade. No one can deny his economic, political, and social justice credentials. He was a champion of multiculturalism and believed in a fair society.
However, I know, as his long-time electoral adviser, that what made him unique was his commitment to local issues and people and often those things are forgotten. It is those things that make someone stand out.
The small things are really the big things. Helping the poor, the vulnerable, those without voice and clout, do not bring great political rewards and there’s little room for self-aggrandising. Simon cared, simple as that.
As we say in Greek, and many other languages, ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ and Frank Crean Snr, Treasurer in Gough Whitlam’s reformist cabinet infused Simon, his brother, and all the family, with the spirit of service and commitment to fairness.
One case that remains indelibly in my mind was Simon’s advocacy for the re-location of a bus stop for a small community of elderly in Springvale. They complained about access, and he believed vehemently that these people were entitled to access and independence.
An elderly woman who lived in a retirement village approached the office regarding the location of a bus stop. It was a metre away from the village and many of the elderly could not walk that far to catch the bus, or do their shopping. Simon took on her cause and ensured that the minister for transport was aware of the importance of providing access.
Simon made a case for improving these people’s lives by re-locating the bus stop. The minister considered the case and decided that it was worth the expenditure to improve the lives of the residents from the retirement village. The bus stop still stands there today.
Simon was a strong believer in community sports for children, he felt activity sport was important for their mental health and resilience, and in building skills like working in teams. Simon was instrumental in securing the support for Cypriot Greek Bentleigh Greens FC, (soccer), to move to their home at Kingston Heath.
In 1993 he helped the club to obtain a commonwealth grant to undertake works at Kingston Heath including earthworks, sprinklers, bore connecting and the original fencing.
Again in 2009 Simon helped the Cypriot Greens to secure $2.9 million in partnership with the City of Kingston for a full redevelopment of the facility. This included the replacement of the two grass pitches with a state-of-the-art synthetic surface, new change rooms and a new grandstand.
The above are not merely anecdotes – not for me – they show how ‘the boss’ – as I would call him – was committed to service. There are so many other cases, like his advocacy for the South-Central Migrant Resource Centre in the 90s, his commitment to ensuring that refugees got an even break.
He was instrumental in making sure that many Cambodian refugees particularly those who fled due to political persecution were granted permanent residency. He assisted them is securing permanent government housing for their families to start a new life. As many were dealing with the psychological trauma of what they endured in post-Pol Pot Cambodia.
He initiated community spirit and leadership awards for schools and asked all schools to nominate the most diligent student who showed community spirit and care for their fellow students and community. Simon believed in encouraging students who showed initiative, and who expressed care for others and that it was equal, if not more important, than marks.
There wasn’t a project too small that Simon didn’t advocate for – if the cause was just. His sole purpose was to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in our community and that he did as he elevated the life and standards of all Australians.
Simon was always generous, loyal, and interested in his staff he always encouraged us to bring our families to functions so he can meet them and understand our backgrounds. Equally he was a loving husband and father. My thoughts are with his wife Carol and his daughters, Sarah and Emma during this difficult time.
Vale Boss, I will miss you.
Vicki Mastihi has been an adviser for the Labor party for many years, was a long-term Electoral Officer for Simon Crean and is now electoral office manager for the member of Albert Park Nina Taylor.
