Many mothers due to this stress and trauma (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) have suffered for too long, and with Charmaine's death, we will continue to fight for what is right and have the changes made to the legislation that the Joint Select Committee have recommended.

Here is a copy of the eulogy that Chris Burke read at Charmaine's funeral:

"We thank Tim for this opportunity to express our feelings for our friend and confidante, Charmaine. Whom we first met several years ago, whilst we were working for the same goals, to change the State's Adoption Laws when we formed the Adoption Support Group "Origins" Tasmania.

That's not to say we couldn't have shaken her at times, but we soon found out it was of little use… because she would open her mouth, and with a very few select words put you firmly in your place.

Charmaine had lived a hard emotional life, but gave her love freely, and when she made a true friend through thick and thin, it was for life. Her husband Tim, her children and grandchildren were her greatest treasures in life.

She never recovered from the loss of her twin babies to adoption , so she spent many years trying to prevent other young mothers from suffering the same grief that she did.

Charmaine was a power to be reckoned with when rubbed the wrong way, as Tasmanians found out this year, when all her many hours of hard work came to fulfillment with the Inquiry into Past Adoption Practice. She worked hard and tirelessly for that, and still made herself available to her friends who needed a shoulder to cry on, and believe me there were many.

She was as game as Ned Kelly, and would take on anyone to fulfill her goals, It seemed to us that she was a store of information, if there were documents "Origins" wanted we could guarantee that Charmaine had them. If there were documents that we were unable to obtain, Charmaine had them. If there was documents we couldn't find, Charmaine knew where to find them. Clairvoyant or our extra filing cabinet, we aren't sure, but who do we sing out to for help now!

With the gift of "second sight" she travelled Tasmania and the Mainland making friends, and always making herself available to listen to people's troubles, taking all their heartbreak and grief to heart, always leaving that person knowing that they weren't alone and someone did care.

She came across as a "rough diamond" to many, but has a "24 caret heart" as big as the Outback, and a tongue as sharp as a razor. You always knew where you stood with her.

We will miss you Charmaine, and our love goes with you. To her husband Tim and her family our deepest sympathy. To wherever she has passed over to, we can bet she has friends there and she is probably giving merry hell."

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