10 May, 2016 Dear friends and relatives of John Kaye, It was with sadness that we in the Sydney branch of the Australia Cuba Friendship Society learned of the unexpected passing away of John Kaye. As a Greens member of the upper house in the New South Wales parliament from 2007, John was well known for his passionate support of many issues, especially around education and the environment, but probably less well known for having supported the cause of Cuba at a number of public events. We will sorely miss him. John spoke at an ACFS event in October 2008 with a thoughtful and knowledgeable contribution. He joined a platform including individual figures from the Labor and union movement, at a public meeting of 125 people demanding freedom for the Cuban Five, unjustly imprisoned in United States prisons. At a time when many shunned any such cause associated with Cuba, John’s wellprepared words of support gave a boost to the campaign in Australia. We feel sure that John joined in the jubilation of millions in Cuba and many more in the “jury of millions” around the world that helped win their release, after a decade and a half of unjust imprisonment, in December 2014. In 2011, John, along with David Shoebridge, also met with Dr. Merita Monteiro, one of one thousand East Timorese doctors trained as part of a Cuban medical solidarity program. They discussed the success of the Cuban program in creating a sustainable public health system in East Timor. Having got to know John through such fruitful collaborations, we are not surprised to hear about the respect he earned across many political divides. He certainly earned our respect. We offer our warmest condolences to his friends, relatives and political colleagues. Yours sincerely,

Lia Weitzel President ACFS Sydney

Australia Cuba Friendship Society - Sydney Branch www.sydney-acfs.org | [email protected]