Alistair Coe MLA

Speech in Legislative Assembly

17 November 2011

Mr Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to St Francis Xavier College in Florey. Founded in 1976, the school has gone from strength to strength. It has approximately 1,200 students enrolled in years 7 to 12. The school advocates living the truth, leading with courage and learning for life. Further to this, the mission at St Francis Xavier College is: we seek to be truthful and courageous people who nurture right relationships, value learning and celebrate Christ’s life-giving presence among us.

Good schools are not so by chance. It is through the commitment and dedication of the staff. Whilst there are many elements that contribute to the success of a school, it is the leadership, values and ethos, as demonstrated in the teachers and support staff, that make everything else possible. I commend the college principal, Mr Angus Tulley, for his dedication to the school community.

I pay tribute to the parents and friends association, which is an integral aspect of the school. In particular, I thank president, Stuart Bonner, vice-president, Paul Crowley, secretary, Ursula Jamieson, treasurer, Anne McKenna, and the APFACTS representative, Kirsten Wilkinson.

Last Friday, I was very pleased to attend the final assembly for the year 12 class of 2011. As part of that assembly, the leadership team for 2012 was formally welcomed by the outgoing college leaders. The incoming college captains for 2012 are Chloe Kelly and Nick Mahoney. Vice-captains are Courtney Bonner and Riley Catherill. The house captains for Dullugal house are Sarah McCluskey and Josh Buitendam; Gariwang house, Matia Ryan and Samuel Ryan Baker; the Irin Irin house, Hannah Woodford-Smith and Cameron McDonald; the Korilla house, Amy Webb and Elwyn Stannard; and Pindari house, Rachel Watson and Josh Commons. Specialist captains for SFX in 2012 include Jessica Barancewicz for liturgy and spirituality captain; the social justice captain is Allyse Sharp; the captain for arts and culture is Victoria Constable; and the sustainability and the environment captain is Daniel Kinnish.

I wish these students well in their year of leadership and pass on my congratulations to the outgoing year 12 cohort of 2011.

Speech in the Legislative Assembly

17 November 2011

I rise this evening to acknowledge McHappy Day, which was held last Saturday, 12 November at McDonald’s restaurants across the country. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the initiative which has managed to raise over $18 million for Ronald McDonald House charities. The funds go towards the provision of much-needed assistance to families of sick children. The target for this year’s event—$3 million—which I am told has been well and truly exceeded, included $31,646.65 from the Belconnen and Gungahlin stores.

I believe that McDonald’s is a great company, a company that promotes community activism, invests in staff skill development, employs many people, especially youth, and provides a safe place for families to congregate. I was very pleased to help out on the day at the Charnwood McDonald’s restaurant, which is one of the five stores owned and operated by Mr Hani Sidaros. I thank him for the risks he takes and the investment he has made in Canberra. He is one of Ginninderra’s largest private sector employers.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank the local community for their generous support and especially thank the Canberra Raiders, Brumbies, Scouts Association, Lisa Buchanan, coach of the Jazzy Jumpers junior olympian skippers, Nicole Gieorgiou and her team of dancers from the Dynamic Dance Studio, local DJs Mitchell Bannick, Joe from 3D Entertainment and DJ Nate, to name a few for their generosity.

The Charnwood, Belconnen Lake, Belconnen food court, Gungahlin and Gold Creek stores are managed by some very dedicated staff members who also ensured that the McHappy Day was a great success. They are: Jono Buchanan, the manager of Charnwood; Paul Lysik, the manager of Belconnen Lake; Matthew Bolton, the manager of Belconnen food court; Jack Abdel Malak, the manager of McDonald’s Gungahlin; and Adam Bowen, the manager of Gold Creek. Finally, I would like to congratulate Lauren Ferns, the marketing manager of the stores, who put a lot of hard work into making sure the day was a success.

Speech in the Legislative Assembly

16 November 2011

This evening I pay tribute to the principal of Trinity Christian School, Mr Carl Palmer.

Today I, along with the students, staff, parents and friends, was able to commend and thank him for the exceptional service he has given the school and community since 2000. After 12 years in the role, Mr Palmer will be, quite literally, passing a baton on to a new principal.

Today’s assembly was befitting of the ethos and values he has demonstrated in his time at the school. It was engaging and heartfelt but a happy forum to acknowledge his commitment. School captains, Ryan Winslade and Lisa Tredinnick, emceed the events, with TonyD’Abrera, Daniel Leung, Brianna Kimber, Adeline Pfeiffer and Nathan De Meillon offering prayers and readings. Presentations and tributes came from students Zak Steward, Ashley Maxted, Emma McDonald, Alexander Thorpe, Jessica Laudenbach, Adrian Janse van Rensburg and Emily Horsley. Mr Michael Lee, principal of St Mary MacKillop College, spoke of Mr Palmer’s legacy at Trinity and beyond. Today Mr Palmer gave a presentation which included a number of his famous green bags. With a theme BEST, he gave some practical advice which is applicable to all, even beyond the school boundaries. He said, “B is for being who you are, E is for encouraging others, S is for striving to be the best you can be and T is for trust in the Lord.”

Mr Palmer is a man of strong faith and he sets a wonderful example for all he knows. He is an exceptional leader and he was ably supported by his wife, Jennie. I wish them both well and thank them for their service.

Speech in the Legislative Assembly

15 and 16 November 2011

I rise to speak about the continued good work of the Order of Australia Association ACT branch.

On 3 November 2011 the association hosted the third ACT student awards for citizenship and community service. I have been privileged to be able to attend each of these ceremonies.

After being welcomed by Dr Ray Newcombe OAM, Len Goodman AO and Duncan and Dylan Smith, guests heard from General Peter Gration AC OBE, who spoke about active citizenship and the Anzac tradition. Soon after the general‟s speech, guests were introduced to the exceptional Canberra students who have achieved a great deal and have given exceptional service to our community, all at such a young age. I would like to acknowledge the award winners and briefly describe their contribution to our community. Unfortunately, my few words cannot do justice to their exceptional commitment.

The individual awardees are as follows: Gemma Armarego is a year 11student who, amongst other achievements, has raised funds for mental illness and is a leader of her school at St Clare‟s College; Natalia Nuutinen is involved in a youth group, has done volunteer work in Papua New Guinea and helps primary school students with reading; Jeeven Nadanakumar set up a green youth forum at Marist College, is involved with public speaking, is a leader at school and is involved in the United Nations Youth Association; Rachel Crampton Smith received a certificate of commendation in recognition of her community service in umpiring, photography of children and other demonstrations of leadership.

The group award was presented to Giralang primary school in recognition of their understanding, appreciation and demonstration of Indigenous culture, their commitment to preserving the legacy of the Rats of Tobruk which saw them receive a 2011 Anzac Day schools award, their commitment to the National Arboretum, and other achievements. In addition to a number of students at the presentation, Principal Trish Keller OAM and Deputy Principal Andrew Macleod were present.

Very recently I had the privilege of visiting Giralang primary school to witness the spirit of the school which the Order of Australia Association recognised. The motto of the school, “Caring, cooperation, courtesy”, was very much on display and could be seen in the commitment of the students to learning, the camaraderie of the staff, the parent involvement, the pride in appearance, the commitment to their community and the leadership that each member of the staff provides.The atmosphere of the school is truly supportive and conducive to learning, and I commend the staff, students, parents and friends of the school that have made the school into the asset that it is.

Finally, I would like to commend the officer bearers of the ACT branch of the Order of Australia Association. The chair there is Len Goodman AO; the secretary, Bruce Trewartha OAM; the treasurer, Brian Acworth AM; the committee members, Diane Kargas AM, Trish Keller OAM, Dr Andrew Lu OAM, Ian Meikle AM, Jennifer Muir OAM and Derek Robson OAM; and the co-opted member is Ray Newcombe OAM.

I would like to conclude this part of my speech by thanking and congratulating Len Goodman on his service as chairman of the Order of Australia Association Canberra Branch. His term expires later this month, when a new committee will be elected at their AGM. I wish them all well for their upcoming meeting.

Speech in the Legislative Assembly

16 November 2011

This evening I would like to pay tribute to the ongoing contribution made to support and promote agricultural excellence by the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society. The RNCAS are responsible for organising and staging the ActewAGL Royal Canberra Show, the Dan Murphy’s national wine show of Australia, the Canberra Times home leisure, caravan, four-wheel driving and camping show, the ActewAGL Canberra regional wine show, the royal Canberra extra virgin olive oil show, and the royal Canberra national poultry show as well as other activities throughout the year.

In Canberra at the moment the 2011 Dan Murphy’s national wine show is taking place at EPIC. I commend those involved, including the head of the national wine show, Mr David Metcalf. The deputy chair is Michele Norris, and members are Andrew Moore and Deanna Riddell. I know the committee would like to make particular mention of the contribution made by Mr Tom Carson who is the outgoing chairman of judges.

I would also like to commend the ongoing contribution made by the current chief executive officer of the society, Mr Garry Ashby, and also acknowledge the work done by the sponsorship manager for the wine show, Ms Cate Versegi. The national wine show advisory panel plays an integral part in the event, and they are: the chair of judges, Mr Tom Carson; the past chair of judges, Mr James Halliday AM; past chair of the national wine show committee, Bill Moore; and members, Tim Kirk and Dr Edward Riek OAM.

The Royal National Capital Agricultural Society is a not-for-profit organisation which originated from the Ginninderra Farmers Union which was established in 1905. The Farmers Union mandate was to aid district land owners in improving their farming methods, with the introduction of scientific ideas, and the very first show was held in 1927. Since then there have been 84 shows and the society continues to support and promote agriculture through events and competition and education.

The RNCAS is made up of 10 staff members, seven board members, 57 councillors and over 1,000 volunteers. The current board of directors is: president Mr Rod Crompton; vice-president, Mr Dennis Algie; treasurer, Mr Frank Wommelsdorf; and Mr Stephen Beer, Mr Michael Kennedy and Mrs Kathleen Harvey.

I urge all members to support the society and to visit www.rncas.org.au for more information.