Page 1871 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 4 May 2011
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Petrol, and everything, is expensive in Kiribati. They are short of water and they have real problems with disposing of waste, so the composting toilet would seem like a great idea.
Japan earthquake and tsunami
MR HANSON (Molonglo) (7.04): I would like to echo the comments made by Mr Coe in his adjournment speech regarding the generosity of Dianne and Brian Anderson, who conducted an event at their home in support of the Japanese community in the wake of the terrible earthquake and tsunami that caused the loss of so much life and so much suffering and homelessness that we have seen in Japan.
As Mr Coe mentioned, the event was a fundraising venture. It was a great day and a beautiful afternoon. Mr Coe, I and Ms Porter were there. The gardens were looking absolutely sensational. I am not quite sure how many people were there, but it would have been in the hundreds, and they all enjoyed some great entertainment and great activities, as outlined by Mr Coe. The singing, the cellist, who was 11 years old, and the choirs were quite special. Sadly, I missed Dianne playing—I think it was the organ or the piano she was playing; I think the organ—but I had my five-year-old with me, who only had a limited amount of time that he could pay attention, so rather than take the risk of any misadventure we left before I was able to hear her.
The amount that was raised—I do not think Mr Coe had the final figure—was in the order of $10,000 and I think it is just remarkable that Dianne and Brian, who opened up their home, organised this event for the Japanese people. Dianne and Brian Anderson are very generous people. This was not an isolated event. They regularly open up their home to the public so they can come and look at their gardens and they have put an enormous amount of their time and effort, particularly Dianne, into the eisteddfod in the ACT and the choral activities associated with that. Brian has a great history with the Japanese people and indeed made many introductory remarks at the event in Japanese.
So it was a great day, a great event, and I congratulate Dianne and Brian on their generosity that they have shown not only to the ACT community but also to the Japanese people.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
The Assembly adjourned at 7.07 pm.
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