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Seven Little Australians . . Page.. 161 ..

In addition to these established groups, there is a range of other groups who work on specific projects, as well as many individuals who have made a valuable contribution to heritage work in the ACT. Many of these groups receive specific project funding from the ACT Government under the ACT heritage grants program. Each year, many valuable projects are supported. For instance, work is currently under way to document the history of the numerous families that make up the Ngunnawal Aboriginal community in the district. Similar work has been funded to record the memories of the pioneer construction workers of early Canberra and the early nurses and teachers. This is important work in the priority area of oral history research in the Territory. This work will continue to be an important role for the community, in both recording memories and ensuring that other memorabilia are appropriately cared for. Indeed, it is important that the community be seen to lead or manage this process, with the Government only providing a guiding hand. The momentum is there now for this to happen.

Mr Speaker, the Government also recognises the important role that events such as Heritage Week play in promoting local heritage and, importantly, encouraging community participation. Participation can also mean helping to physically care for heritage assets and take part in planning for their future. I recently invited a range of community, heritage and business organisations to form a consultative committee to assist the Government in planning for the future of the Tuggeranong Homestead at Richardson. This is a valuable heritage asset with links to earliest European settlement. In this year, when Australians remember especially our contributions and sacrifices in war, Tuggeranong Homestead is also notable as the base for the writing of the official history of World War I by Charles Bean and his team. By the end of this year, the consultative process set in place by this Government will establish a framework in which the valuable heritage of the site can be appreciated and at the same time ensure a viable use for its long-term conservation.

Last Friday week I had the pleasure of opening Heritage Week at Lanyon Homestead and listening to Ron Way describe the unique attributes of this beautiful property which, in part, contributed to his successful television series Seven Little Australians. Lanyon is perhaps one of our best-known heritage properties, but many more have been documented, restored and conserved and in some cases opened to the public. Others of particular note are Calthorpes’ House and the soon-to-be opened Mugga Mugga property. At present, both Lanyon and Calthorpes’ House can be used and enjoyed by the community in a variety of ways. The public programs at these houses have been designed to offer opportunities for active community participation. As the development of these programs is an ongoing process, I would hope that the community, through its increasing use and contribution, continues to help these activities evolve in ways that reach all groups and individuals.

Mugga Mugga is the generous gift to the ACT Government of the Curley family and was the home of Patrick Curley and his family. Patrick was the head shepherd of the Duntroon estate, and his family has been continuously associated with the property since 1913. It is the wish of the surviving daughter of Patrick Curley, Miss Sylvia Curley, that Mugga Mugga be preserved so that its heritage and history can be enjoyed by the

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