Event Photos

Recently Mary launched a handy reference guide to community and government grants, namely Your Grants Directory 2010.

“As the Member for Ginninderra I often speak with people who have an idea for a project that would benefit the community, but are not sure of how to bring the particular project to life,” Mary said. “Others already provide a valuable service, but are concerned that the service is unsustainable without additional funding.”

Mary recently toured and later officially launched important developments at Cranleigh School, as part of another Building the Education Revolution project.

“When considering the special needs of the students who attend Cranleigh School, it is fair to say that the projects financed by the BER funding are invaluable,” Mary said

Last month Mary officially opened new community parks in Cook and Holt.

“These parks are the first of eight new community parks to be completed as part of the ACT Government’s $2.4 million investment into revitalising former school sites,” Mary said.

Both Community Parks retain and build on existing elements of the former school sites. New play equipment has been installed, whilst existing and well loved play equipment on both parks has also
refurbished to Australian Standards.

Recently Mary announced that she will work with the Minister, Mr Jon Stanhope, the Department of Territory and Municipal Services and Industry stakeholders to develop a government discussion paper on what should be covered in a mandatory code on domestic animals in the ACT. This will be tabled later this month.

Mary was pleased to be able to attend the recent Launch of the upcoming Canberra production of the well known musical Boy From Oz, in her role as the Patron of the Canberra and Area Theatre Awards, fondly known as the CATS. The Canberra Philharmonic Society will present the famous musical at the Erindale Theatre from August 13 to September 4.

Mary joined Neville Tomkins, Chief Commissioner Scouts Australia, ACT Branch, recently in turning the first sod for the rebuilding of Stromlo Forest Scout Hall in Duffy that was destroyed in the 2003 Canberra bushfires.

“The rebuilding of the Hall represents yet another important step forward for both the community and Canberra’s strong scouting movement, both of which were setback with the loss of the Hall,” Mary said.

Mary also presented a cheque for $5,000 on behalf of the ACT Government in support of the Scouts Gala Benefit Dinner and Auction which Mary will attend.

On Sunday16 May, Mary, and her newly acquired dog Lola, joined thousands of others in the RSPCA’s Million Paws Walk, setting off from at Commonwealth Park.

“The annual fundraising event is now in its 16th year and is crucial in supporting the ongoing work of the RSPCA,” Mary said.

Recently the history behind another slice of Canberra’s past came to life when Mary unveiled a new interpretive sign in Evatt.

The interpretive sign tells the history of the site, dating back to 1861. The unmarked cemetery was largely destroyed by roadworks and development of the land in the 1970s and 1980s. The site was formerly a donation of 1.5 hectares of land by Robert Campbell of Duntroon in 1841 for a church, school and cemetery.