Page 575 - Week 02 - Thursday, 18 February 2016
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Better recognition of the CAT awards and the second stage of the Belconnen Arts Centre are two things on my “to achieve” list that sadly were not achieved. However, I will watch this space. Another aim I did not manage to get much beyond the very early discussion stage of is the establishment of the Sistema program in the ACT. It is similar to Big Noise in Raplock, Scotland. Big Noise has been largely credited with helping a very disadvantaged area of Stirling turn itself around through giving all young people in the town the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and play in an orchestra. I would like to thank Henry Laska, immediate past CEO of CSO, who assisted me in exploring this idea, and whom I very much enjoyed working with on this and other CSO endeavours.
My husband and I have enjoyed our involvement with the Arboretum, where we are foundation members. My thanks must go to Bob Winnel for his belief and support in the Arboretum through the village centre and the Voices in the Forest. We all know that the plans for the Arboretum when first introduced to this place by the former Chief Minister Jon Stanhope were not positively received—not by all, I would say. However, many people across the ACT, including people like Bob and other benefactors, believed in it and could see its potential. I think we should all be very proud of its success.
Some members may know of another Canberra link which will remain. That is my scholarship of a young Indigenous woman, Sarah Cait, who is completing her secondary education at Canberra Girls Grammar. She is from a single-parent family in Taree and is one of seven Indigenous students who, without the support of the Podmore Foundation, would not reach year 10, let alone year 12. I am sure that they will go on to university, as some of them are preparing to do now. Next year I believe a young man will join the Podmore scholarship team and go to Canberra Grammar as well.
I have enjoyed my time as the ACT representative on the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Regional Steering Committee (CWP), particularly getting to know other women parliamentarians across Australia and the Pacific. I believe this committee has achieved a great deal in the past few years in encouraging greater exchange with our Pacific sisters in particular and encouraging young women to consider leadership roles.
Introducing a bill and having the ACT Retirement Villages Act 2012 accepted unanimously in this place was of great satisfaction to me. Thanks to all those who raised their questions with me in the first place and those from retirement villages and the industry who have supported its passage and its implementation. Special thanks here to the Retirement Villages Residents Association who continue to work tirelessly now in relation to the review of the act, which I believe is so far demonstrating that the act to a large extent is working positively for the betterment of all. I thank my colleagues for their support in getting that bill through.
I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to sit on Assembly committees. Members know that in a unicameral parliament the committee system plays a very important role in our democracy. I see it as a virtual upper house. I try at all times to treat the committee process with respect, as I have my role as Deputy Speaker.
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