Page 2087 - Week 07 - Thursday, 24 June 2021
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On 8 June, it was my great honour to visit Martha Mavrommatis, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus. I learned a lot about the Cypriot community in Australia and the history of this special island. I learned that the flag, with the outline of the island on the flag, is the only flag in the world where the country represented is actually pictured on the flag. The history of Cyprus is one of the oldest recorded in the world, and its historical significance is disproportionate to its small size. Considerable resources of copper and timber are found on the island, combining to make it a highly desirable territorial acquisition, as history has told. Martha, the commissioner, is a lively and positive contributor to our city as dean of women ambassadors, and she attends Cypriot and Greek events all over our city and our nation. I thank her for her time and energy.
On 5 June, it was my honour to attend the Hindu temple ground-breaking ceremony in Moncrieff, along with my colleagues Elizabeth Lee and Peter Cain. Through a Crown lease, the ACT government transferred 1.5 acres of land to Canberra Hindu Mandir to build a Hindu temple and community facility. Before commencing construction, CHM hosted a ground-breaking ceremony on the site at Hoffmann Street, Moncrieff. The facility will consist of temples for several deities, along with a large community hall, meditation hall, Vedic religious and cultural education facility, and canteen. The facility is to serve devotees and celebrate cultural diversity. It will be used by many communities. I thank the Canberra Hindu Mandir team for all their hard work. I especially thank community leader Dr Krishna Nadimpalli for his years of tireless work to secure this land for our community’s future spiritual needs.
On 5 June, it was my tremendous honour to attend the University of Canberra Nursing Society ball. The ball raised money for Beryl women’s refuge, an organisation that assists women who are needing to relocate and find housing, having recently left domestic violence and similar situations. Beryl is, and has been for many years, a safe place for women and children from the ACT and region. (Extension of time granted.) It was great to spend the night with the UC Nursing Society students and lecturers. I almost purchased the chance to get a tattoo, but I was outbid by someone else; that will have to wait for another time. The students will be our nurses and our health carers of the future, and I am proud to stand alongside them as they study.
On 2 June, it was my honour to attend the 75th anniversary of the Italian republic at the Italian Ambassador’s residence in Deakin. I want to thank Her Excellency Ms Francesca Tardioli for organising such a fabulous event, with wonderful speeches and entertainment. Italy and Australia enjoy a historically warm and cordial bilateral relationship, being like-minded democratic countries sharing the same values and due to the presence of a well-integrated Italian descendant community as well as new arrivals in Canberra and across Australia. The republic is 75 years old. What a delight it was to hear the speeches and see the Italian-brand motorcycles on display at the front. Thank you, Ms Tardioli, for all you do to support those of Italian origin here in Canberra. Buona notte: good night.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
The Assembly adjourned at 5.16 pm until Tuesday, 3 August at 10.00 am.
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