Julie Theresa Potter, who died in Melbourne on Saint Patrick's Day aged 81, was the third of five children of former Queensland premier Ned Hanlon, and a mother of eight. Born in Brisbane in 1928, young Julie Hanlon was educated at All Hallows Convent and excelled at oratory. A bright student, she was the first in her family to attend university, enrolling in the Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Science at Queensland University.
After graduating Julie worked in the Public Health department, and was particularly sensitive to lepers desperate to be declared free of disease. She was active in the Newman Society and other activities, through which she met Owen Potter, also an applied science student. They married in 1952.
The demands on an MP at a time of limited government services made a strong impression. Constituents in Ned's seat of Ithaca waited each evening on the veranda for him to finish his dinner or return home to hear their problems. Wartime fears of Japanese invasion challenged the proud Queenslander. Julie relished relating how Ned had Commonwealth pamphlets advising that country north of Brisbane might have to be abandoned destroyed, and replied "tell them Cabinet is meeting in Townsville on Monday" when the US consul called to ask if the government was moving to Tweed Heads.
Julie was a teenager when her mother Elizabeth died after collapsing at a state dinner. The family had already suffered the tragic death of its youngest member, Teddy, from diphtheria in 1939. Julie later accompanied Ned to state functions including Premiers' conferences and the Jubilee of federation Ball in. Ned became ill that year and died in January 1952. Julie and her sisters Hannah and Mary and brother Pat were immensely proud of Ned's reforms - which included free hospitals, improved working conditions and prison farms - and fiercely protective of his legacy. Pat became an MP in Ned's seat.
Julie sailed for England to marry Owen, then a student in London. Owen's study and work took them to Wigan and Manchester. In 1961 they returned to Australia for Owen to take up a post in chemical engineering in Melbourne. There they were introduced to the Teams of Our Lady, a movement aimed at strengthening married couples, by Max and Stephanie Charlesworth and helped to establish Teams in Australia. Julie attended her last meeting a month before she died.
By 1970 they had eight children but Julie believed in balancing her life of faith with practical community action. In the early 1960s some Catholic schools struggled with classes of 80 or 90 pupils and no state funding. Julie joined the campaign for state aid, serving as minute secretary on the Victorian Parents and Friends Federation. The campaign was hard but ultimately successful and now benefits schools of all faiths. Julie was active in the parish of St Dominic's in East Camberwell, in the Mother's Club, teaching Catechetics and in founding Dominicare, a parish welfare agency. She had a deep love of literature and was a member of a book group for more than 30 years.
Julie never let these demands get in the way of providing the extras that make family life special. She was a wonderful cook who welcomed her children's friends to family meals, birthday parties, holidays and camping trips and expertly catered for large weddings at home. Julie was a devoted and loving mother who put her skills to practical use in the care of her children, especially with Clare, her youngest daughter who had juvenile diabetes and died of its consequences in 2002. This was a great blow to all the family. Julie was a great support to all her family, not least Owen with his demanding career. But when her children complained about everyday setbacks, she would scoff: "If that's the worst that happens to you, you will have lived a good life." Julie Potter is survived by Owen, her brother Pat, seven children and 26 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
May she Rest in Peace.