Page 165 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 15 February 2006
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her staff and all those involved with Koomarri for their dedication to people with disabilities in the ACT and region. It is through their work that people with disabilities are recognised for the contribution they make to the community and are given the respect and dignity that they deserve.
While I doubt that this motion will have people speaking against it, because of the nature of the motion, I do believe that it is important to put on the record the valuable services that an organisation such as Koomarri provides. We are very fortunate in this town to have a large number of organisations that have a community focus. That is wonderful and I think they should be applauded. It is nice to talk about the good things every so often rather than continuously sniping at each other across the chamber. So I commend the motion, Mr Speaker.
MRS BURKE (Molonglo) (5.15): I thank Ms MacDonald for putting this on the notice paper today. It is, as she says, a good opportunity to really promote and elevate the work of organisations such as Koomarri. I must join in the chorus of highlighting the ongoing and persistent efforts of all the volunteers and staff, particularly of Margaret Spalding, a lady for whom I have much admiration and respect and who over a number of years has ensured that Koomarri has remained a highly successful organisation in the area of encouraging and nurturing people, particularly those with an intellectual disability.
During recent times, this organisation, and in particular Margaret Spalding, has shown its resilience to setbacks in more than one instance. As we have heard from Ms MacDonald, first fire and then a storm damaged the new building in Woden. It is important to highlight that we are so fortunate in Canberra to also have such tremendous support from businesses, clubs and organisations that are prepared to show the generosity that exists in our community—no more so than when they came to Koomarri’s aid in recent times. Setbacks can be overcome as a society. We can display that we can rise above adversity and antisocial behaviour and continue to indicate by action that priority must be given to supporting people with a disability.
I must say that resilience, belief and faith in what it does as an organisation is how I would describe Koomarri. Since its inception in 1952 the aims and objectives appear to have remained constant. The association still proudly displays a strong and demonstrated ability to work for the welfare of disabled children in the ACT, to act as an advocate body for their families and to continue work towards a society in which the stigma that previously attached to people with a physical or intellectual disability is removed.
It is also imperative that we all continue to recognise the standing that this association and its employees have within our community. I would naturally expect that any government of the day will continue, wherever pertinent, to provide financial support and resources to assist with workshops, services and ongoing costs. Koomarri fulfils a concept that disabled people have abilities and can contribute just like anyone else in our society, without segregation. Quality of life, which we all expect, should be afforded to all; Koomarri has more than achieved this ideal.
Koomarri has campaigned, and into the future will most likely continue to campaign, for the rights of people with a disability. I will not list the achievements now, but I will say that the people who choose to become involved with the work of Koomarri are indeed some of the most valued members of our society. Commitment to the ideals and values
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