Page 3103 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 23 August 2005
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and our partnerships between community and government invariably result in outcomes that are significantly greater than the funds expended due to the enthusiasm and hard work of those involved.
How appropriate that we were gathered at the Reid preschool, which was built in 1944 and opened in 1945 as a mothercraft centre. It provided a focal point for women living in the area and was developed through community interest and effort. The Reid preschool is the oldest preschool in Canberra. It paved the way for the establishment of all preschools in the ACT, of which there are now 80. It is an important landmark in Reid and provides a memorable link to the early days of Canberra’s history and community. The Reid Preschool Parents Association was among the successful applicants and will publish a history of the preschool to mark its 60th anniversary.
Among the other successful applicants was the Kosciuszko Huts Association, which will undertake conservation and repair work on the Gudgenby Hudson ready cut cottage. The National Trust of Australia ACT branch also received funding for the William Colliers stone cottage, which has recently been added to the ACT heritage register. Their grant will be used to develop a conservation and management plan, as well as an interpretation plan.
Another successful applicant was the Burringiri Association, which has received funding for the identification and return of the Ngambri cultural material. Those in our community who spent many a long, hot summer’s day at the Manuka Pool will be pleased to know that the Southside Community Service will record eight oral histories of people who have had a long-term association with the pool.
These are but a few of the projects that have received funding in the current round of grants. However, it does indicate the diversity of the work that is being undertaken to preserve the historical aspects of structures, artefacts and memories that have played their part in the development of this wonderful city. This year the Chief Minister has also agreed to fund two projects to foster effective partnerships to conserve the ACT’s unique heritage. These are the much loved annual Canberra and Region Heritage Festival, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year, and the continuation of the Heritage Advisory Service, which helps owners of heritage property by providing free technical advice.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated members of the ACT Heritage Council and the grants task force who assisted in the difficult task of assessing the many worthwhile grant applications. I congratulate all recipients of this year’s grants and look forward to seeing the results of their projects over the coming year and during the 2006 heritage festival.
Chief Minister
MR SESELJA (Molonglo) (6.24): I opened today’s Canberra Times at the letters page and I was interested to read the headline. It said: Jon Stanhope a politician of integrity and decency. I thought, “Wow! What do you have to do to get a headline like that? My goodness! I wish I could get headlines like that.” I looked at some of the letters and there were some great lines. One letter said, “I wish there were more politicians like Stanhope who are prepared to stick to their guns and not sell out for some short-term political gain.” I thought, “Wow! He’s popular in the electorate.”
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