Page 980 - Week 03 - Thursday, 7 April 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
creativity, focus, skill and joy; and I know that this is a topic close to your heart, just as it is to mine.
On Thursday last week I attended the launch of the Daydream Machine, a creative arts studio founded by ACT local hero in the Australian of the Year awards, Luke Ferguson. Luke has developed skill in working with young people with disability through his teaching at the Woden School. Now he has taken his skills to the next level by opening the Daydream Machine, supporting young people with disability to follow their passion for music, visual arts, photography, engineering, storytelling and writing, and more. Local businesses and individuals in our community have seen what a positive difference he makes to the lives of young people and their families, and they have donated or they have offered support to help this wonderful new studio to get up and running.
The launch party last Thursday was awesome fun, and to see the team of superheroes that Luke has assembled was just wonderful: Jacob’s marble run showing his skills in engineering; Grace’s rewrite of classic 90s gangster rap and finding the best caramel slice in Canberra—which, I might just confirm, is indeed at Home Ground Cafe in Hughes—Peta’s contribution of words and drawing and collage in her visual art, which you can see if you stop by my office; and Logan’s audio book The Secret Library, which is also in my office, if anyone wants to listen. It is a tale of magic, loss and human kindness, themes which many of us in the community have been thinking about a lot over the last two years.
I want to take a moment to reflect on the beauty and the joy that is present within neurodiversity. The people whose minds work differently to yours or mine can bring new perspectives to problems that we are all trying to solve, and that we are stronger and better together as a community. The young person who is supported to engage their passion and has positive role models around them is well on their way to building resilience and strong mental wellbeing.
The Daydream Machine is a safe space for young people to explore their creative interests with people who share their enjoyment of trying new things and making something wonderful. Now, as Frigga, who is Thor’s mum, said, “Everyone fails at who they’re supposed to be. The measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are.” So thank you, Luke, for helping these young people to discover who they are and supporting them as they learn how to use their creativity, their talent and their skills to create their own future.
Multicultural affairs—events
MR CAIN (Ginninderra) (5.42): Canberra is a city of varied cultures, and as a local member I get many opportunities to connect with and understand our diverse cultures. While I have been known to attend many multicultural events since I have been elected, and even before that, I do so with a special interest and special responsibility in this short period before us now, while my colleague the shadow minister for multicultural affairs is on leave. I am just looking after that in her stead.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video