Page 4119 - Week 15 - Thursday, 17 December 1992
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ADJOURNMENT
Motion (by Mr Berry) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Kaine, I will let you go first. I might take the next opportunity.
Valedictory : Retirement of Mr Jeff Brecht
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition) (4.06): Madam Speaker, there are two or three comments that I would like to make at this stage of the year. It is the last sitting day of this Assembly in 1992. First, I would like to wish all members and staff, as well as the Secretariat staff, a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
Secondly, Madam Speaker, I think it is fitting to remember those many Australians who are victims of the tough economic times in which we live. Without wishing to make a political point, the reality is that more people are hurting in this Christmas season than we have seen for many years, and I think that the spirit of goodwill that many Canberrans show at this time of year must be acknowledged. I refer to the many charity and community support groups that operate within our community and which consist of people who are always willing to make the lives of others in our community happier. This year their gift of giving is perhaps more significant than ever before, and we should especially recognise those who so unstintingly ensure that all Canberrans are able to share the joy of the Christmas season.
Finally, Madam Speaker, as I look back on this year of 1992 and look forward to what 1993 might be, there is one thing that strikes me immediately. Today during the proceedings I looked around the chamber and there I found the always smiling face of one of the Assembly's attendants, Mr Jeff Brecht. Madam Speaker, as you know, Jeff will leave the Assembly early next year to enjoy retirement after a hardworking stint, more recently serving this institution. He joined the Legislative Assembly in April 1989. Many of the features of today's chamber that we are sitting in which make life easier for us are a result of his initiatives.
Jeff spent 20 years as an attendant at Parliament House, including eight-and-a-half years as an attendant in the House of Representatives, before "retiring" in February 1989. His face is well remembered by members of the house for the same reason that we remember him - that is, he is always smiling and laughing; yet he is the consummate professional in the performance of his duties. Before his service to the Federal Parliament and the ACT Assembly Jeff served in the armed forces. He joined the Army and served with the occupation force in Japan during the 1940s. He left the Army to join the Royal Australian Air Force. As a former officer in the regular Air Force, I can only commend him for that move, even if he did not quite get it right the first time.
Madam Speaker, Jeff is one of those who have been with the Assembly since its beginning, and there are not many of us left. He started in April 1989, bringing a wealth of experience. The sound system that we have here is a result of Jeff's initiative, as is the call system for members to summon attendants.
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