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Girls on the Move recently joined forces with the Motorcycle Riders Association of the ACT to raise funds for breast cancer research.

Over 300 bikes joined in the ride, the largest number yet, and over $3,000 was raised through donations and raffles.

Prizes were awarded to the best decorated bikes and the best dressed riders.

Speaking after the ride Mary Porter said "This fundraiser is yet another example of the willingness of the motorcycle riders to contribute to our community".

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Figures tabled in the Legislative Assembly confirmed Ginninderra MLA Mary Porter has made more representations to the Government on behalf of constituents than the 6 Liberal Opposition members put together.

The figures, contained in the answer to a Question on Notice tabled by the Chief Minister, show how many constituent representations have been made by each MLA and showed the Liberal Opposition combined have raised a total of 1448 matters, while Ms Porter has made 1655.

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Schools in Ginninderra are receiving funding of over $100 million for the upgrade of existing schools and the building of the new Ginninderra District School which will take its first pupils at the start of the 2009 school year.

This is part of the $350 million the ACT Government is investing in our public education system.

Also included in the program is $3.5 million for the new gymnasium at Belconnen High, $3.76 million for disabled access and general refurbishment at Hawker College and $280,000 for the refurbishment of Hawker Primary.

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150 Greening Australia volunteers recently set a per capita record by planting 4,000 native trees and shrubs on the slopes around Pierces Creek, an important part of Canberra's water catchment.

The area, which was devastated by the 2003 firestorms, has been part of a revegetation program since 2004 and has seen over 3,600 active volunteers plant more than 120,000 native trees and shrubs in that time.

Greening Australia has a target for this year of planting 50,000 native trees and shrubs and the latest plantings took this year's total past 38,000.

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Since coming to government, Labor has increased spending on public health by almost 90% with $889 million allocated in the 08/09 Budget, resulting in additional 172 hospital beds in our public hospitals and 9,600 elective surgery procedures.

As part of the new capital works, $90 million has been allocated for a new Women's and Children's Hospital and over $37 million has been committed for a new suite of mental health facilities.

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Mary Porter has announced she is reviewing the legislation that covers ACT Retirement Villages.

“I have become aware that the ACT is the only Australian jurisdiction which does not have specific Retirement Village legislation, Mary commented.

“As we live longer this will be a growing issue for us all. Many more people are choosing the security of buying residences in retirement villages and I am investigating whether we need specific legislation that will more appropriately protect those purchases."

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The ACT Fire Brigade has received 13 new sets of 'Jaws of Life' rescue equipment.

Many motor vehicle accidents involve our fire-fighters having to cut trapped people out of the wreckage so they can receive the necessary medical treatment at the scene and be transported to hospital by the ACT Ambulance Service.

The Jaws of Life is a vital component to this work being done quickly to ensure the best possible outcome for accident victims.

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The 'Queen of Canberra' Coralie Wood, has been recognised for her contribution to the arts in Canberra and the wider region, by being awarded an Order of Australia in the latest Queen's Birthday Honours.

Over the last 40 years, Coralie has worked as a publicist for Australia's leading entrepreneurs including Michael Edgley, Kevin Jacobsen and Michael Chugg . However her greatest passion has been fostering local amateur talent through her establishment of the Canberra and Area Theatre Awards.

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The Belnorth Football Club has rallied to support the family of Ross Green, one of the club's young players, who is in Sydney recovering from treatment for Leukaemia.

Ross' four-year-old brother's bone marrow was a perfect match and was used in the treatment.

Over 200 supporters attended a function which raised almost $30,000 to help the family defray the extensive costs they have incurred.

13-year-old Ross has been playing with Belnorth since 2000. He also continued to coach the Pee Wee Under 6 Red Rebels team even after he had been diagnosed with his illness.

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'A place to call home', was the theme for this year's World Refugee Day and as part of the celebration, Companion House arranged a soccer tournament between refugees from the Sudan, Sierra Leone, the Mon and Burmese communities at the AIS.

The aim of the tournament is to raise awareness of the plight of refugees in the broader Canberra community and to strengthen the ties between other refugee communities.

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