Event Photos

The ACT Government sponsored 'round town events have commenced for 2007 with the first one being attended by over 500 Canberrans at an afternoon of family fun at Diddams Close Park on the shores of Lake Ginninderra.

Children were entertained with a jumping castle, face painting and a range of games while the adults were able to listen to the sounds of popular local band Funk Shui and help raise funds for the local Guides troop who provided the ever popular sizzled sausages.

This year's National Multicultural Festival has again been an outstanding success with last year's record crowds being equalled despite the rain which fell on the night of the Food and Dance Spectacular, the Festival's single biggest attraction.

The Festival's Artistic Director, Dominic Mico said "Festivals are important agents of change in communities around the world. They provide new cultural experiences for people and they unite communities and transform the built environment of a city from its daily life into a different state of being."

Mary Porter has again hosted another in the series of drug policy seminars in the Reception Room at the Legislative Assembly.

The keynote speaker was Associate Professor Alison Ritter from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. Associate Professor Ritter and her team are currently undertaking cutting edge research into drug policy development. The $7 million project is being funded by the philanthropic organisation The Colonial Foundation Trust.

In the early 1990's Mary Porter recognised there was a great need for those working in human services to have their skills recognised. Unfortunately there were few organisations that were able to provide the training required.

As she had done many time times before, Mary formed a steering committee to establish an organisation to fill the need she believe existed.

An initiative supported by the ACT Government and Belconnen Community Service, will see new and emerging actors, playwrights, and designers supported and nurtured in their transition into public theatre. All performances will be at the Belconnen Community Theatre.

Among the bikers to participate were many of Canberra's Posties who made a significant contribution to the toys collected and also added to the occasion by dressing their already bright red delivery cycles with a range of Christmas decorations.

Many other riders added to the festivities by dressing in the spirit and Mary Porter, together with her Assembly colleague Mick Gentleman, judged the best dressed riders.

A new 48-bed purpose-built facility for the provision of rehabilitation and aged care services and older persons mental health inpatient services has been opened at Calvary Hospital.

The ACT Government has contributed over $10 million a year in ongoing funding for the operation of the facility which is designed to meet the needs of older citizens in Canberra and the wider region.

For almost 30 years Bev Orr has opened her home to children in need of care whether that be for a day, a month, or in some cases, many years. Bev's great contribution to our community has now been publicly recognised by her being named the 2007 ACT Local Hero as part of the Australian of the Year Awards.

Since 1978, Bev and her husband David, have provided care for over 200 children whilst, at the same time caring for their own family. Bev did all this while working full time in Parliament House.

On Saturday November 11 Margaret Timpson Park was transformed into a giant fairground as around 10,000 people attended this year's Belconnen Festival. The event also celebrated Belconnen's 40th Birthday with Chief Minister Jon Stanhope cutting the Big Birthday Cake.

Local performers including singer songwriter Ashleigh Mannix, country rock band The Fuelers, indigenous singer Johnny Huckle and Tanzanian musician Gus Mpofu with his band Hoza, performed on the main stage while local dance groups entertained the crowd on the stage in the middle of the park.

Mary Porter recently joined with hundreds of members of Canberra's multicultural community to celebrate the 13th Ethnic Schools Languages Day.

It is one of the most important events for the Association and showcases the students learning as well as being a great culinary feast.

The school has over 200 tutors teaching 43 languages and fosters multiculturalism among our whole community.