Page 4781 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 13 December 2005
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we were able to raise over $200 in badge sales and donations. I take this opportunity to thank everyone involved—be it by wearing a Hawaiian shirt, buying a badge or meeting with us on that Friday for a coconut slice and a mini Hawaiian pizza, both created by the wonderful women in my office, Rebecca and Lauren. So successful was the morning tea that my office will be running one again next year. Should you be tempted to throw out that Hawaiian shirt, think again. We will be back louder and brighter than ever. I congratulate the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group for the continuing role they play in our community and I thank them for indulging my taste in bad shirts and making a day out of it.
Motorcycle Riders Association—25th anniversary event
Traffic issues
Arab and Australia Women’s Friendship Association
MRS BURKE (Molonglo) (5.52): I congratulate Mr Gentleman for organising that event. I believe that he refers to the staff in his office as “the help”, so I would like to thank the help, too.
I had the privilege this week of riding with the Motorcyle Riders Association in an event to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Mr Gentleman was there to represent the ACT government and Senator Kate Lundy was there for the federal government. It was a grand spectacle. I am sure Mr Gentleman will be talking about that this week, so I will leave it there and not steal his thunder. I just say that I was privileged to be part of a group of 850 to 900 bikes. I am sure Mr Gentleman will correct me on that one. There was probably over $2,000 raised, and tens of thousands of dollars worth of toys donated.
In the couple of minutes I have left, I want to dispel the myth that all on this side of the house are carping, whingeing people. I am glad you are here, Mr Hargreaves; do not move. I want to congratulate you and put it on the public record that, most times that I have lobbied you for things, except where public housing is concerned, which is a debate for another day, you have moved expeditiously.
I want to thank you very much for three things, all urban services issues. I refer to the changed traffic conditions in Namatjira Drive and the Cooleman Court car park. I think the changes have really raised the awareness of pedestrians and drivers alike. Thank you for those changes. I also made representations to you about Bunda Street in Civic, and I see that there have been changes there. That is the trifecta; that is all you are getting for now. I know it is Christmas and it is the season to be jolly. I give credit where credit is due. I try to offer solutions and work with the government where I can.
I also want to mention the Arab and Australian Women’s Friendship Association, of which I am a member. I was there early in the morning and saw the effort that went into it. The pity was that not many people from Canberra—the public—seemed to know much about it.
Mr Hargreaves: Most of them were at the summit.
MRS BURKE: They were indeed at your summit, Mr Hargreaves. The fact is that we need to get behind things like that. It was a fabulous initiative. Hours and hours of work went into it, and there were many committee meetings, which were a bit like Indian
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