Jevan Goulter says Goodbye to Carmen

Jevan Goulter says Goodbye to Carmen.

This morning I woke up to what has to be the saddest news of 2011.

To hear the death of Living Legend and somebody I loved greatly, Carmen Rupe.

I loved Carmen and enjoyed a lot of time with her especially between the ages of 19 and 21.

Everybody who came even within an arms length of Carmen will have all sorts of fond memories of her.

You could right a trilogy about all of them and then still need more room.

I used to enjoy my time with Carmen, I loved it. I would go around to her flat in Surrey Hills and take her out for lunches and dinners, I would often go with her to events of indigenous rights and other performances which she supported and also enjoyed taking her out to the clubs where she would sit at the bar sipping away on orange juice until 3am in the morning.

Carmen touched so many of us and even if you just passed her in the street you could not help to walk away with a big smile slapped across your face.

I had the pleasure of looking after Carmen on three of her trips to New Zealand and of course after that the birthday party in Wellington which created controversy afterwards.

I have never been a fan of those in the so called “Old Guard” that seemed to manoeuvre her around for her name and personality when it suited them and then put her back in her flat.

I loved Carmen greatly and she was one person who really inspired me to be a better person. She is one of the only people, one of the very few people who I looked up to and greatly adored.

I may not have been around with her for the last 60 years, however the last 7 years that I knew her I absolutely loved her and looked to her as the Queen. I also acknowledge the grief that many people a lot older than me from Carmen's error will be experiencing.

I will always remember the person who fought for the rights of the GLBT community, indigenous people and the minorities. The person who sparked the ball rolling for so many others to follow The person who opened the door for us and kept it open. That person is Carmen and for that she will always be loved, honoured and remember.
A lot of people aspire to Carmen and there is one thing that can not be debated and that is there will only ever be one Carmen Rupe.

Many people will be mourning the loss of a friend, a face they knew, and an Icon.

I know that Carmen would want us to celebrate though, so let us celebrate the life of this extraordinary person, let us remember the good times so many of us had with her and let us all try to take a leaf out of her life in aiming to be better people.

She is the Queen that was never camera shy, the Queen that was never afraid to fight for the rights that we have today, the Queen who was the first to offer help, the Queen that never asked for anything and the Queen that will be remembered for many years to follow.
Goodbye and rest in peace Carmen.

J E V A N G O U L T E R