Page 4126 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 13 December 2006
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letter is. A course on how to develop writing techniques to write an efficient and effective ministerial would assist her immeasurably.
For Ms Gallagher I thought a course on fire twirling would help her in the health portfolio. As well as mesmerising VMOs it would have the added benefit of keeping young Charlie amused. A course entitled “Discover your Psychic Intuition” is my pick for Mrs Dunne. That way she would be able to anticipate the next knife that was coming for her back. Mrs Burke would appreciate a course in Australian sign language, or Auslan 1. It would be good for her vocal chords but it might be a bit of a challenge for Hansard.
For Mr Smyth it was a toss up between a course on knife sharpening or one entitled “How to Debone Chicken and Legs of Lamb.” I thought Mr Corbell would gain from bringing his body, mind and spirit into sync with a course entitled “Tai Chi for Beginners.” If he finds that too boring he might like to participate in “Getting Started in Real Estate.” Mr Hargreaves might like to assist the budget of the Department of Territory and Municipal Services by undertaking lawnmower maintenance because he already knows how to find fish in south coast estuaries.
For Mr Barr a course entitled “Juggling for Beginners” would be the go. As Mr Seselja expressed doubt about the problem, I thought he might enjoy “Climate Change—What is the Story?” Mr Mulcahy would get lots from “Basic Budgeting”, but if it all fails to work out, I suggest “Finding New Life and Career Directions”. Mr Pratt must undertake a course entitled “Cryptic Crosswords—Crack the Code” and, to assist him with his photographs of long grass, “Forensic Photography”.
Mr Gentleman could probably run all the courses in car maintenance but he might get something from one entitled “History of Brewing—a Journey down Lager Land from Pre-history to Present Day.” For my hard-working friend and colleague Ms Porter I suggest that she undertake a course entitled “Work and Life—Finding the Balance.” Finally, I would undertake a course entitled “Winning Interview Skills.”
I hope everyone has a restful break. I am looking forward to recharging my batteries. I would like to mention one other thing. Tomorrow, Brendan Scott will receive his PhD in medical science. Eight years of research and writing produced Evolution of the Gerbich Negative Allele of Glycophorin C: Co-evolution of malaria and its human hosts. It is a real page turner. Seriously, words cannot express how proud I am of my husband on his very significant achievement. While he has not found the cure for malaria he has definitely contributed to an understanding of this terrible burden on many of the world’s poorer communities.
Mrs Helen Cross
MR PRATT (Brindabella) (6.18): Tonight I speak briefly about Helen Cross, a colleague and former member of this place who is travelling a bit roughly at the moment. I live just around the corner from Helen in the same neighbourhood. As a Christmas gesture I thought it would be worthwhile to alert members to the fact that she is not travelling well and to wish her all the best in the future. In the past few months she has been in and out of hospital half a dozen times.
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