This month Mary turned the sod for the new Belconnen High gymnasium.
“This new gym for Belconnen High is a great new asset for the school and the wider community,” Mary said. It is part of the $90 million Schools Infrastructure Refurbishment program.
“After extensive consultation with the principal and school community, the new gym not only maximises the range of sporting activity possible, but also includes a variety of sustainable energy initiatives,” Mary commented.
In January Mary was amongst hundreds of Members of the Hawker Bowls Club who gathered to raise funds for the family of William Sutton.
Last year, William Sutton had a severe allergic reaction to cold
medicine and developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. The rare condition caused his immune system to attacks his own skin, damage his vocal chords and blind him in one eye.
Community consultation is a priority of the refurbishment process and the Department of Territory and Municipal Services is seeking input from the community to ensure it reflects their needs. “It’s good to see work being undertaken in this area,” Mary said “I’m looking forward to seeing a new look for Scullin.”
As part of the consultation process, Drop-In consultations will be held on Saturday 4 April from 11am to 2pm at the Scullin Shops.
Hawker College was the first Government College to be presented with the funding. The Hawker College Parents and Citizens’ Association plan to invest the money in the community by putting it towards their Community Education Program.
“It is pleasing to see not only the school benefit from this investment, but the whole Hawker Community” Mary commented.
Hawker retailers and residents first learnt about the Land Development Agency’s intention to sell a portion of the car park following the erection of a for sale sign on the block. Retailers and residents quickly contacted Mary to convey their concerns.
Mary Porter was on hand at Old Parliament House to greet Deborah de Williams as she arrived in Canberra as a part of her run around Australia to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Deborah’s run, which is entitled, Running pink: Deborah Williams’ Record Run Around Australia- Running for a Cure, is an epic year long journey which started in October 2008 in Hobart. Deborah a breast cancer survivor and marathon runner, is running with her dog Maggie and the pair will cover over 20,000 kilometres in 12 months, at an average of 55 kilometres per day.
Mary Porter last month formally opened the new flying fox at John Knight Memorial Park.
The John Knight Memorial Park upgrade is part of an ongoing capital works program to renew playspaces across the ACT. Other playspaces renewed in Ginninderra included Cobbett Place in Bruce, Glenelg Street in Kaleen, Hewlett Circuit in Florey, Berne Crescent in Macgregor and Katz Place in Spence.
“John Knight Park is a great place for families to relax and children to have fun,” Mary said. “This flying fox will suit the older children and teenagers.”
Mary Porter was present as the Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr, handed the key to the new Kingsford Smith School to the school community.
The school boasts state-of-the-art facilities to assist in catering to the needs of all students. It also has extensive sporting facilities and areas that will be accessible to the public.
The school features a purpose built early childhood wing and facilities for students with special needs in both primary and high school areas.
This month, Mary received the highest recognition from the most prominent member of the Royal Family.
As part of this year’s Belconnen Festival, Mary was named “Dame Mary Porter” as part of the festival’s performance. In front of a large crowd, actress Camilla Blunden announced Mary’s new honorary title. In response Mary said she was honoured to be recognised and also said the greatest honour for her at the moment was her re-election as a Member for Ginninderra.
This month, Mary attended the Canberra Preschool Society’s art exhibition, which celebrated the organisation’s 65 years of commitment to quality care and early education of children in the ACT.
The Canberra Preschool Society was founded in 1943 to further the establishment of a public kindergarten in Canberra, as well as promote an understanding of preschool children.