Page 2555 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 6 August 2013
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were enrolled. They gave $8 million to Canberra Grammar School for a centre for education in the Asian century . This was a generous gift to Canberra, not just to the school. So I was frankly appalled when members of the ACT Education Union criticised the gift in the media. Given the level of philanthropy by this family, where they choose to donate their funds is entirely their business. I was therefore pleased to see that other members of the public shared my views and said so publicly.
Another group worthy of mention is the Capital Chemist group. Each year the Capital Chemist group support a large number of important activities, and the list is pretty impressive: the Cancer Support Group of ACT Eden Monaro; Snowy Hydro SouthCare; ACT junior cricket; 10 $500 school scholarships to support public school students entering year 11; and technology support and equipment purchases for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. They also support Menslink, a group helping young men across Australia through mentoring and counselling services. I would like to add here my personal thanks and recognition to Martin Fisk, who gives up so much of his time to get events going to raise funds for this much needed organisation, Menslink.
Capital Chemist also support Pegasus Riding for the Disabled, which is just as well, because the government has dropped them, and they were in danger of having to either close their doors or charge for their services, neither of which outcome would have assisted Canberra families. They also give generously to such wonderful schools as Malkara, who have just staged their major fundraiser, the annual model railway and scale model exhibition, and Cranleigh, whose art show and sale is on in October—and raffle tickets are available from my office. Capital Chemist also sponsor Sailability, which provides the thrill of sailing on our lakes for those with a disability.
Another small group of volunteers who give generously of their time are those who are involved in the school volunteer program—SVP. It involves people, mostly retired, helping students who experience challenges in primary and secondary school. Its national patron, Major General Michael Jeffery, is very active in support. Jenny Muir and Mal Ferguson have also been very active individually in the foundation of this great organisation.
Another small business operator in Canberra, Roger Tall from the Paperchain bookstore in Manuka, sponsors the Litlinks creative writing competition for students in years 9 to 12. I have spoken of them previously in this chamber. They are a great example of a small business helping students in Canberra. Canberra’s own Yellow Van is yet another community activity that involves many people in giving and with many beneficiaries. It is an activity about which everyone feels better for their involvement.
Anne’s Legacy is also a very caring and industrious group who make beautiful quilts and donate them to children in hospitals. On a smaller scale Mrs Dobrowski runs a soup kitchen in Civic on weekends. She serves anyone who cares to approach her and asks little of government or, indeed, anyone in her personal charity work.
Of course, those on the other side of the chamber have not raised the work that many of our community clubs do. We value the contribution of these community clubs but we do have some issues with the Labor Club that provides many millions of dollars to
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