Page 1258 - Week 04 - Thursday, 26 March 2015
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Here in the ACT yesterday Canberra families with children under five got together at Cook Community Hub to enjoy the Canberra world’s biggest playgroup, hosted by the ACT Playgroups Association. There were plenty of fun and free activities for the children, and lots of information and resources for the accompanying adults, with community and sporting organisations’ stalls, activities and information. Parents, carers, grandparents, aunties, uncles and friends came along with their children.
I am sorry that I could not attend yesterday, as I was here in this place instead. Thank you to Vicki Brown from the ACT Playgroups Association for inviting me and thank you to the ACT Playgroups Association for hosting Canberra’s world’s biggest playgroup this year. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those involved in playgroups across the ACT. You can find out more about ACT Playgroups on Facebook, on Pinterest or on their website, www.playgroupaustralia.com.au/act.
Women—achievements
MS FITZHARRIS (Molonglo) (5.01): Last week I spoke in the chamber during the adjournment debate about the launch of Magazine by HerCanberra. I mentioned a number of the women that were noted in the “15 women to watch” feature in that magazine and I would just like to inform the Assembly about the other women that made up that “15 women to watch”.
Kaleid, “The triple threat”, is made up of three talented women, Kirrah Amosa, Amy Jenkins and Jacqui Douglas. They sang beautifully at the launch of Magazine and this year, in addition to the re-imagined covers they have been singing for the last couple of years, they look forward to singing and recording their own original music.
Kylie Travers, “The survivor”, is still in her 20s but has done much and experienced much, both the highs and the lows. She is a published author, international public speaker and blogger. She is a mum who was also an ACT finalist for the 2015 Young Australian of the Year. But she is also a survivor of domestic violence, rape, robbery and homelessness. This year, hers will be an important local voice as we come together as a community to find new ways to tackle domestic and family violence. She has a passion for helping others but, importantly, changing perceptions of homelessness and domestic violence and creating a better future not just for her own children but for all children.
It is hard to know how to describe Tara Cheyne, “The patriot”. The words have to include “Canberra” and “community”. She is the very effective chair of the Belconnen Community Council, is a member of the Belconnen Community Arts Centre Board, and runs one of the most successful blogs in the territory that sings Canberra’s praises. Her passion for Belconnen in particular is clear. As Magazine notes:
Whether it’s with her blog, community work or her professional life, this is one young woman whose future is as bright as her signature hair.
Michelle Melbourne, “The innovator”, is much more than just a self-described IT nerd. A bit over 20 years ago, she and her husband, Phillip Williamson, founded Intelledox,
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