Page 120 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 25 February 2014
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I want also to pay tribute to the assistant priest at St Paul’s, the Reverend Susan Bridge, who crafted the order of service and looked after the organisational arrangements. Mr Christopher Erskine provided excellent music at the grand pipe organ in St Paul’s, including the now famous trumpets royal. Members of the Sing Australia choir conducted by Ms Joan Breen led the singing, including a great version of Let There Be Peace on Earth.
I congratulate St Paul’s for taking this initiative, coming as it did on the heels of a similar service to mark the commencement of the parliamentary year for the commonwealth held a week or so ago and which Prime Minister Tony Abbott attended. I understand St Christopher’s Catholic church in Manuka intends to organise and host a similar service next year. I look forward to that event, and I encourage all members of this place to attend and enjoy what I am sure will be a respectful and uplifting experience.
It is a good thing that those in Canberra’s church community would want to bless and pray for us in this place who have such an important role in serving the community to create economic stability, employment growth and opportunities for all. It is a good thing that we in this place should acknowledge the support from Canberra’s church communities just as we should acknowledge the support we receive from many other groups in our society.
It is a very good thing that we in this place should stand before that church community to rededicate ourselves each year to act with integrity and compassion as we strive to faithfully serve the people of the ACT. For me yesterday’s service was inspiring. It provided reassurance that the work I do in this place is valued by an important sector of the community that I serve.
Sport—awards
MR WALL (Brindabella) (5.54): I rise this evening to once again highlight an event that has become a fixture in my calendar each year—that is, the presentation of the Vikings sports awards. On 14 February I attended the presentation of the 2013 sports awards which recognise outstanding local sportspeople, coaches and volunteers from the Tuggeranong valley’s sports and social clubs.
The evening featured the presentation of the following awards. The HR Heher Shield was presented for outstanding achievement by a senior sportsperson. This award was presented to Caroline Buchanan, who was six-time world champion in 2013 in both BMX and mountain bike racing. The ActewAGL Shield, presented for outstanding achievement in school and junior sport in the valley, went to Kasey Dragisic, who was selected in three Australian teams in 2013 in both touch football and rugby 7s. The Excel Massage Shield was presented for best team performance. Most recently, this award was won by the Tuggeranong Valley Rugby Union Football Club’s first grade side, who claimed a hat trick at the Australian championship and also took out the ACT Rugby Union competition. The Coca-Cola Shield was presented for outstanding coaching or officials achievement. Previous winners have been state and national coaches. This year’s winner was Bailey James Davis, and he was recognised for his outstanding contribution to and work with the Tuggeranong Vikings Hockey Club.
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