Page 2172 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 5 June 2019
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did. In some of the early discussions a few years ago about what these blocks should be used for, there was talk of a lawn bowls club and a park. I do not have a particularly firm opinion on what those facilities look like. What I do have a very firm opinion on is that the residents of Casey today need to be involved in this and their needs need to be met. It is their suburb. Whether it be sporting facilities, parks, community centres, lawn bowls clubs or whatever it is, it is important that it meet the needs of the local residents and important that we do this speedily.
Whatever the residents need, whatever the needs of Casey are, we need to make sure that they are listened to, that it is addressed and that we start this as soon as possible. I am excited to see how this land can be developed and to continue to see Casey grow.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Gentleman) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Canberra Japan Club autumn festival
MRS KIKKERT (Ginninderra) (5.47): Canberra is a city with four distinct seasons. This past weekend marked the formal transition from autumn to winter, which made it the ideal time for the Canberra Japan Club to hold their autumn festival, called Aki Matsuri in Japanese. I thank club president Naoko Lamb for generously inviting me to take part in this wonderful event.
In Japan the Aki Matsuri traditionally took place after the rice harvest to thank the gods for a fruitful harvest, as well as to petition for the continued wellbeing of the community. Around the world, Japanese migrant communities now hold autumn festivals to showcase and celebrate Japanese culture. Held at the Cook community hall in my electorate of Ginninderra, the Canberra Japan Club’s festival was a delightful opportunity to get a taste of many different aspects of Japanese culture right here in Canberra.
The event was purposely designed to be family friendly, with heaps to catch the attention of both children and adults. Visitors could purchase Japanese soup and bakery products to enjoy, as well as craft items. Workshops were set up to teach things like traditional Japanese calligraphy and origami, Japan’s centuries-old art of folding paper into various elaborate designs such as cranes. One workshop even allowed participants to shape their own chopsticks. Another gave kids an opportunity to craft their own teddy bears. Games for children included quoits, a fishpond and a water balloon activity, which I participated in along with enthusiastic children and university students.
All this fun was accompanied by 2½ hours of performances on stage, including music, dancing and even a rock paper scissors competition. The Canberra Japan Club sponsors a community language school and supports a kindergarten, both of which also performed on the day.
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