Event Photos

Mary recently attended the ‘Springtime Magic’ extravaganza, organised by the Bengali Cultural Association (Canberra) Inc. (BCA), at the Gungahlin College Theatre.

BCA is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to create awareness of the Bengali people and their culture in the ACT and region. For over a decade its presence in the ACT has seen it regularly organize events of great significance to both the Bengalis and Indian community in general. This year’s event featured a famous Indian dance troupe ‘Sristi’ from Kolkata, India.

Recently Mary presented the DonateLife ACT Book of Life to the Director of Libraries ACT, Ms Vanessa Little, to mark Donate Life week 2013.

The Book of Life includes many inspirational Canberra stories about organ and tissue donation of both recipients and donors’ families.

In 2012, as a result of the generosity of 12 organ donors and their families, Canberra achieved its highest-ever annual organ donation outcomes. 30 people received life-saving organ transplants and, in addition 66 people received the gift of sight from eye tissue donors.

As many within the Belconnen community know, Kaleen Primary School recently celebrated its 35th birthday with celebrations at the school, including of course the all important cutting of the birthday cake and a raffle.

Mary is extremely pleased with the recent announcement by the ACT Attorney General, Mr Simon Corbell MLA, that the Government will be providing $702,000, to support young indigenous people in the restorative justice program through the creation of an Indigenous Friend position and funding to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Circle Sentencing Court.

Recently, Mary welcomed motorbike riders from the third annual Cancer Council Adventure Ride to the ACT Legislative Assembly, as they passed through Canberra on their 10,000 kilometre around Australia fund raising ride.

“The ride seems to be growing every year,” Mary said. “Last year the event attracted around 120 motorcyclists and raised $40,000. This year the riders have set themselves a target of $100,000!

Canberra rider, Mr Ross McKay, participating in his third ride, is the Adventure ride coordinator for the ACT.

Mary recently joined Greening Australia in celebrating the planting of the 200,000th seedling planted in the Lower Cotter Catchment since the bushfires in 2003.

“I have had a long-term, personal commitment as a volunteer with Greening Australia in re-greening the ACT and I feel very honoured to have been asked to plant the 200,000th seedling.” Mary said.

Mary recently presented awards to the winner, and highly commended entrants of the Marjorie Graber-McInnis Short Story category of the ACT Writers Centre Awards, at a function held at Olims Hotel, Braddon.

“The ACT Government is pleased to support writers through the ACT Writers Centre,” Mary said. “These annual awards give well-deserved recognition to writers and publishers.”

“As a poet myself I am always pleased to be involved in recognising the skill of Canberra’s fine writers and those publishing their works.”

Mary was recently presented with framed photos, illustrating the transformation of Pierces Creek Forrest following the 2003 bush fires, in recognition of her involvement with Greening Australia.

“It is always pleasing to have such recognition, but the most important thing to emphasise is the tremendous difference Greening Australia and their volunteers have made to the local environment here in the ACT,” Mary said.

Late last year Mary and the Federal Member for Fraser Dr Andrew Leigh MP opened the newly upgraded facilities at the Western Foreshores District Park and John Knight Memorial Park, and also officially announced the commencement of work on the $4.2 million Belconnen Skate Park and public realm upgrade.

Ms Porter said that she was pleased to join Dr. Leigh in opening the completed upgrade of picnic and barbeque facilities in both the Western Foreshores and John Knight Memorial Park.

Mary recently launched the Canberra Cares Lost Toy Appeal and asked Canberrans to donate toys, books and sporting equipment for the children and young people of Queensland and Victoria who have lost so much in the recent flood disasters.

“In true form Canberrans have responded to their fellow Australians in crisis with many fund-raising events planned over the forthcoming weeks,” Mary said.

The ACT Government has donated funds and sent a recovery team to Queensland and many Canberrans themselves have already made personal contributions to the victims of the floods.