Page 4011 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 1 December 2021
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unflappability, particularly when compared to me, are just a few of the many qualities he has and that I and everyone he interacts with values.
To Michael, Nick, Jemma, Anna, Kaarin and Ana, I feel incredibly grateful to work with a team that inspires me daily, that puts up with my very specific ways of working and approaches all tasks with professionalism but, most importantly, with compassion.
And thank you to our DLOs: Gez, Tom, Radmila, Cath, Rick, Karen, Kellie, Al and Kylie—not all of them at once throughout the year, but many of them at once. We are truly lucky to have such extraordinary support as you go about assisting multiple ministers. On behalf of my office, and through you, Madam Speaker, I just cannot thank you enough.
Thank you to all my colleagues and their staff, particularly in the Chief Minister’s office. I am so proud of our progressive and ambitious agenda and to be delivering it with colleagues with strongly held values. A special shout out to our whip, Ms Orr, who, with her team, has I think one of the most challenging jobs in this place, particularly in this term, and to you, Madam Speaker, for your guidance and support, particularly in the chamber. Thank you, of course, to our Assembly staff, without exception, for your patience, consistently cheerful attitude and just your general support. I know you know this, but we would not get through much without you.
This has certainly been one of the most humbling years of my life. I have learned a lot, including about myself. It has not been smooth sailing and it was immediately apparent to me that that was going to be the case when my year began with me breaking my leg, alone on an island in Queensland, to which the ACT had its border shut at the time, which had followed a break-up and unexpectedly finding myself quarantined in two states.
I would be nothing without the support around me, which has been unconditional. From the health professionals who helped me at the start of the year to my incredible mother Deb, who is steadfast in her love even though I am incredibly annoying, my dog, who is always up for a cuddle and ensures I get at least some exercise, and especially my gorgeous friends, who ground me and keep balance in my life. I count myself lucky to have had relationships this year that have grown and deepened.
But most of all, Madam Speaker, thank you to the people of Ginninderra. I think I say this every year, but it remains enormously humbling to be a representative of the home that I love so much, in the city that I love so much. It is the very best place to live, not just because it is beautiful with fantastic infrastructure and opportunities, but because of the people. It is always because of and about the people, and Ginninderra has the very best.
I arrived in Canberra as a 21-year-old graduate employee at the commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department just under 14 years ago. I never would have imagined the enormous opportunities and privileges I would be given in this city that I had never stepped foot in but came to adore. I remain so grateful and so honoured, and I reaffirm my commitment to giving my all to serving this city and its people. I wish everyone a merry Christmas.
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