Page 4669 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 19 October 2010
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HESTA awards
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Women) (6.07): Thank you, Ms Bresnan, for bringing that to the Assembly.
I just wanted to talk about the 2010 national winners of the first ever HESTA early childhood education and care awards that were announced on Friday, 1 October. These awards recognise the achievements of individuals in the provision of outstanding early childhood education and care. The pursuit of excellence in early childhood education and care professionals is recognised as being vital to ensure that early childhood services in Australia are world’s best practice. Nominations for the awards were made from early childhood education and care practitioners, the families of children attending childcare services, operators and colleagues who wanted to recognise individuals.
I am very pleased to say that in the first ever HESTA awards the winner of the individual excellence in early childhood education and care award went to a local early childhood provider. Raeline George, from Forrest primary outside of school hours care, won the individual excellence award. It is very good for a local girl to be recognised in that way. For Raeline to secure that award—she received a $5,000 travel voucher and a $5,000 educational grant, courtesy of ME Bank—she had to display the highest standards of early childhood education and care, and professional practice in her role, working with children. She had to enhance the image and status of early childhood education and care in Australia and she had to have undertaken the achievements to support improved outcomes for children in early childhood education and care settings.
Those are fairly high nomination criteria. As I said, to have the first ever HESTA award taken out by an ACT worker against a very strong field is something that we should recognise in the ACT. It goes to show that the childcare sector in the ACT is one of solid work and best practice. My congratulations go to Raeline George on her efforts. Indeed, it is also an opportunity to say thank you to each and every childcare worker in the ACT. Whether they are in long day care, family day care or after school care, they all do a fantastic job for the children of families in the ACT.
Canberra bachelor of the year
MR COE (Ginninderra) (6.09): I rise this afternoon to put on the record my thanks to a number of people involved in the Canberra bachelor of the year fundraising event held last week at the Realm Hotel. As I stated on 22 September in this place, the fundraising event was held to raise funds for the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group. The event was a great success, with a considerable sum being raised for the charity. A good night was had by all and it is a testimony to the hard work undertaken by Danielle Neale and Erin Molan.
I would like to congratulate the winner, Trent Kingi, the runner-up, Mal Osborne, and all the contestants for the good spirit in which they took part. As members would
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