Page 2759 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 28 June 2011
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Diamant Hotel
Canberra Services Club
MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (10.36): Together with my Greens colleagues, I was very saddened to hear about and see the pictures of the significant damage caused by fire last week at the heritage-listed Diamant Hotel. This historical building, originally known as Hotel Acton, was built in 1927 to accommodate some of Canberra’s earliest VIPs. It was an important heritage asset amongst the handful of buildings remaining from Canberra’s past and although it has changed its name and roles over the years, its original federal capital style had remained unchanged. Its most recent use was as part of the new Acton pavilion complex developed by the Efkarpidis family.
The news of the damage caused to the building was very upsetting. This is an additional blow to Canberra’s heritage, following the loss of the Canberra Services Club also by fire only a few months ago. I am very delighted to hear that the owners of the Diamant Hotel have pledged to restore the building as it was and I commend the careful and creative conservation efforts the Efkarpidis family have made in relation to this building as part of their recent development of this precinct. I have no doubt about their capacity and stated commitment to restore this building in the wake of the tragedy.
I do hope the Canberra Services Club and their building receive the same interest and support, because it also is a significant historical building. It was originally built in 1941, to provide a social space for World War II soldiers who were visiting Canberra. The club has lived on in this capacity and continued to provide an important social gathering place for former and current military personnel. It also has provided an important meeting space. I have been to a number of meetings there, including most recently an Inner South Community Council meeting there.
Preservation of Canberra’s remaining building heritage is important. We have some lovely old landmark buildings. In a relatively modern and fast growing city like Canberra, their retention or their sympathetic accommodation into an emerging cityscape is important, not just for us but even more so for generations to come.
I should add a third building, the old shed at Tralee in Hume, where about 30 slabs of timber on one wall have been stolen and the building significantly degraded. We do run the risk of losing a lot of our significant heritage. Yes, I am very saddened by the two heritage fires in two months.
Bosom Buddies
MR HANSON (Molonglo) (10.39): I speak tonight about Bosom Buddies ACT and the hat hat hooray competition. The hat hat hooray competition was the brainchild of Marisa Gerussi from Bosom Buddies, as well as Sally Saunders and Kate Darcy, who have been helping her with that, and the other committee members who have been supporting this initiative, which is running in its second year.
The hat hat hooray competition emerged because many women continued, through their breast cancer treatment, with hair loss; and they looked for appropriate headwear
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