Page 1215 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 2 April 2019
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The fundraiser was called “the PCYC plunge” and it consisted of abseiling down Lovett Tower, currently Canberra’s tallest building. I strongly suspect that there is no one in this chamber who hates heights more than I do. But, as I said, it is impossible to say no to the PCYC and the good things they do. So I signed up. Because I like to share adventures with others, I decided to sponsor two additional participants.
I did this by inviting entrants to describe in 50 words or fewer what they had overcome in their youth that they never thought they could. It was my hope that these contributions would help inspire some of the PCYC youth. I am pleased that selective submissions will be published as a compilation for this purpose.
PCYC staff read all the submissions and then picked two winners to join us on the day for a 93-metre high descent down the tower. One winner was an experienced adrenaline junkie, but, like me, the other winner was terrified of heights. She was there, however, to celebrate a life filled with overcoming challenges. Having been removed from her birth parents, she grew up in a foster family here in ACT. Along the way she had been helped by many others. She brought two of these special people with her to the plunge: the chaplain from her school and a youth worker from Woden Community Service.
I have to admit that when I stood on the top of Lovett Tower and I looked down, I had to remind myself that I was doing this for the kids. Thankfully, I had great support at the top. This gave me the tools needed to successfully complete the abseil. I do not think I have ever been more grateful to find my feet on solid ground, though it took some time for my legs to stop shaking.
Madam Speaker, I am personally grateful to good people like school chaplains and youth workers who help make life easier for young people who find themselves in complicated situations. I am likewise grateful to all the people who donated in support of my plunge and all those who contribute funds to the PCYC to help keep their programs running.
Lastly, I again thank the people at PCYC for all that they do to strengthen our community by caring for and strengthening our youth. Like the support I found on the top of Lovett Tower, the staff at PCYC are there for kids who find themselves facing very difficult challenges in life—abuse, violence, drugs, criminal behaviour and so forth. I encourage all Canberrans to support Canberra PCYC and other organisations engaged in this important work of giving young people the tools they need for life.
Children and young people—out of home care
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Disability, Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety, Minister for Government Services and Procurement, Minister for Urban Renewal) (5.25): Earlier this year I spoke in the Assembly about the study tour I undertook in December. In my report I noted how some of the jurisdictions visited engaged with children and young people to ensure that their voices are heard. This is something I acknowledge we need to continue to improve upon in the ACT.
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