Page 2733 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 15 August 2017
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It gives me great pride to know that in the ACT we have 130 businesses, schools and other locations that are generously taking part this month, with 79 volunteers ensuring that the initiative runs smoothly. Every item donated is registered, sorted and sent to services that directly support women and girls in need. I commend these groups and volunteers for their dedication to ensure no woman or girl goes without this necessity.
As some members of this chamber may be aware, Madam Acting Speaker, you brought the initiative to the Assembly in the last few years by converting your office into a collection point for the program and directing a successful Assembly-wide reception where donations from all over the building were coordinated and collected. It is with great pleasure that I announce that during this month’s drive my office will be a collection point for the initiative. I must apologise that I am starting later in the month, which means that we will have to dig extra deep, and I can only hope to do the initiative you started justice.
Having access to sanitary products is imperative to upholding the dignity and respect of all women and girls. In this day and age it should be non-negotiable. I take this opportunity to encourage all members to actively get behind this fantastic initiative and donate sanitary products, or even give me the money and I will go buy it on your behalf, to my office so that we can all work together to bring dignity to all women and girls.
I will be doing what I can for the remainder of the month to draw attention to this drive and encourage all members to do the same. I remind members that the United Nations has declared access to sanitary items a basic human right. As Australia’s first female majority parliament and a leader in so many ways, we should uphold Canberra’s legacy of being a compassionate and empathetic community and support Share the Dignity’s August drive. Doing so will send a clear message that Canberra is committed to upholding the dignity of all women and girls.
Tuggeranong Men’s Shed
Holy Family Primary School—additional classrooms
MR PARTON (Brindabella) (5.51): I rise to congratulate the Tuggeranong Men’s Shed after their recent 10th anniversary. Thanks to Frank Vrins and Keith Gilby for inviting me along to the 10th anniversary lunch at the Burns Club. I can report that my colleagues Ms Lawder and Ms Burch were also in attendance. I had a wonderful afternoon sharing stories from Men’s Shed members and carving a big hole in the Star bistro fare. I am pleased to say that Keith and Frank then invited me along to do a full inspection of the Tuggeranong Men’s Shed workshop in Greenway, which I know that Mr Gentleman is also familiar with.
I want to commend our Speaker, Ms Burch, for her work as patron of the organisation and for ultimately assisting to move the levers that led to the establishment of the current site. I would also like to commend Communities@Work in Tuggeranong for their massive assistance in the early years of the Tuggeranong Men’s Shed. I would like to believe that when it comes to organisations such as the Men’s Shed, we can
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