MAROON GREATS DIE
And making pumpkin scones in heaven too
QUEENSLAND is mourning the loss of two greats, with former First Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen and exrugby international Stan Pilecki passing yesterday.
Lady Flo, a former senator and widow of disgraced Queensland premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, was 97.
Mr Pilecki, a legend of Queensland rugby, was 70. Both suffered short illnesses.
FORMER Queensland senator Flo Bjelke-Petersen has died age 97.
Lady Bjelke-Petersen – who was the wife of one of the state’s most controversial premiers, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen – died after a short illness about 3.46pm yesterday.
Lady Bjelke-Petersen was elected as a Queensland senator in 1981, serving until 1993 – six years after her husband was ousted as premier.
She passed peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones, including sister, Margaret Gilmour, at the Lutheran Services Orana Aged Care Service in Kingaroy.
“Lady Flo’’, as she was known, had lived there since August 2014. Sir Joh died in 2005.
“Until recently she actively participated as organist for church within the Orana community and other aged care facilities in Kingaroy,” a statement from the centre read. “She will be sorely missed by her family, many across Queensland and beyond.”
Lady Bjelke-Petersen took the reins with home duties until well after her husband became premier of Queensland in 1968.
However through the 1970s she assumed an increasingly public role, gaining popularity for the homely sayings and her recipes for pumpkin scones.
Controversially, she was placed as the No.1 position on the National Party’s senate ticket at the 1980 federal election, virtually guaranteeing her place in parliament.
“Lady Flo” was re-elected as a senator in 1983 and 1987, retiring from Canberra in June 1993. Politicians from all sides paid tribute to Lady BjelkePetersen last night.
LNP leader Deb Frecklington, who holds what would have been Sir Joh’s old seat, said she would always cherish Lady Bjelke-Petersen’s support and guidance.
“Rest in Peace Lady Flo. You were a rock of our community and will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered,” Ms Frecklington wrote on Twitter.
Lady Bjelke-Petersen’s death comes weeks after she defended her late husband to the Bulletin. In an interview marking the 30th anniversary of his overthrow amid the Fitzgerald inquiry, she said her last wish was that his reputation be restored.
“He always knew politics was a funny business,” she said.
“And he was not very happy at the way it all ended.
“I often ask myself: Why did they get rid of him? Queensland was doing very well. It seemed strange to me.”
She is survived by her children, daughters, Ruth and Helen, and son, John, who visited her regularly at the home.