Recently Mary attended the seventh Lights! Canberra! Action! a major event of the Canberra Festival, which was this year part of the celebrations for Canberra’s birthday.
Many people again enjoyed the screening of the finalist’s films. This year the filming took place under the stars in Garema Place where a large crowd was also entertained by Flip Art during the interval and before and after the show.
Recently Mary joined with members of the Canberra Fisherman’s Club to release 30,000 Golden Perch fingerlings into Lake Ginninderra, part of the ACT Government’s Fish Stocking Plan, and a regular program of stocking local lakes to improve recreational fishing.
Mary commented at the time that the release of fish into our lakes gives Canberrans greater opportunities for fishing closer to home. It also takes pressure off native species in our non-urban rivers and streams, provides better protection on threatened species in the wild and improves the biodiversity of our lakes.
On March 9th Mary attended the launch of the 16th Canberra International Music Festival.
“The Canberra International Music Festival has become a highlight of Canberra’s arts calendar,” Mary said, “many of you will know of my commitment to participation and engagement in the arts. I believe the arts offer an avenue for Canberrans to enjoy rich, full lives and festivals such as this are important facets of the local lifestyle,” she added.
Recently Mary attended the Canberra 2010 Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon at the Australian Institute of Sport, firing the starting gun and being there to congratulate the young people at the finishing line!
“The Kids TRYathlon is in its 12th year, a fantastic event for all young
Australian’s to participate in,” Mary said. “It’s about participation rather than competition, an ideal way for young children to get out and enjoy physical activity. It is great to see 1,200 young people entering in this year’s event!” she added.
Mary Porter welcomed the new recreational facility on the foreshore of Lake Ginninderra following the completion of a 12-metre jetty.
“I am pleased to see this latest facility provided to the people of Belconnen,” Mary said. “This new jetty provides better access for locals and visitors to the water’s edge, affording great views across the lake and to the Belconnen Town Centre.”
Many families enjoy the Lake Ginninderra Foreshore, and this jetty, located within the popular John Knight Park, is close to a playground and picnic facilities.
Recently Mary launched the ACT Government’s policy direction through to 2014. The Future Directions: Towards Challenge 2014, a plan of action aimed at improving the lives of people with disability
“The plan focuses on six strategic priorities that are clear statements about what people with disability want from their government and their community,” Mary said. “More than 260 people attended public forums to provide input into the development of Future Directions, as well as organisations.”
Recently Mary unveiled a Park Care Noticeboard at Mount Ainslie, to coincide with the celebration of 20 years of Park Care and World Parks Day.
Park Care is a partnership between the ACT Government and community volunteer groups formed to care for our parks and reserves.
The ACT Government has provided each of the twenty Park Care groups a noticeboard in the parks, where they are active, to assist with the promotion of their activities, such as planting days, and to encourage increased participation from the community in their area.
Recently Mary visited Fraser Primary School to officially open the school’s Awesome Art Show for 2009.
“The Awesome Art Show offers Fraser students a chance to show off their artistic talents, and also provides a wonderful opportunity for families and community members to gather together and celebrate the school’s achievements,” said Ms Porter
Art also provides a way for people to express themselves, and this event is a wonderful example of this. It demonstrates the considerable talent of these students.
Matthew Box has a long history as a volunteer from his secondary school days, such as Emergency Services, Community Legal Services and Scouts. He is also a sworn member of the Australian Federal Police. This year he was awarded the NRMA, Volunteer of the Year Award for 2009 by Volunteering ACT.
Mary congratulated a local artist, Mr Duncan Smith, who was awarded by the Dare to Lead project for his work as a Project Ambassador in the ACT.
“I have known Duncan now for a number of years, and am delighted that he has received national recognition for his work in the schools,” Mary said. “I believe that we all in the ACT should celebrate his award.”
The Dare to Lead is a national project, funded by the Commonwealth, with a focus on improving educational outcomes for Indigenous students.