Page 4851 - Week 15 - Thursday, 8 December 1994
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Madam Speaker, briefly, on a more sober note, a less intoxicated note, I want to say that I wish all my colleagues on this side of the chamber and the other side of the chamber a very merry Christmas. After Christmas, it will be every man for himself, and do not turn around or you might get a knife in the back. Until that time, a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Ms Jenny Butt
MRS CARNELL (Leader of the Opposition) (5.28): Madam Speaker, on the last day of this Assembly, with Christmas only a few weeks away, I thought it was important to speak about a Canberran who is making a very real difference to people in Australia, particularly to rural women and their children. I am speaking about Jenny Butt, the organiser of Rural Drought Relief for Women and Children. Jenny, with the help of the Lions Club, Delfast, a number of ACT schools, shops and businesses, and Mr Berry as well, has sent tonnes of food, toiletries and, more recently, Christmas presents to families in rural New South Wales and Queensland who have been affected by the drought. Jenny has made a real difference for many people who are living in almost unbearable circumstances. Madam Speaker, I would like to read into the record one of the literally hundreds of letters that Jenny has received. It says:
Dear Jenny,
I guess when you and your helpers organised the relief parcels you realised how much they would be appreciated. What you may not realise is that as with me the "relief" would come from the feeling that out there is concern and caring. That feeling means as much if not more than the contents of my parcel.
I have been known to say that this year is "the year from Hades". The big dry is only a part of it, marriage break-up, ill health, and a grand balance of $2.21 in the bank. Feeling down and defeated is putting it mildly, but this year is coming to a close. There are people like your good self who share my breathing space, so, a smidgin of faith comes creeping back.
I thank you, not just for the parcel, but for being who and what you are, bless you.
There are many of those sorts of letters around, and I know that both sides of this house have supported Jenny. She is making a real difference for Christmas. It is only a few weeks away and the Liberal Party will be recommending Jenny for Canberran of the Year next year. I am sure that Mr Berry, Mr Wood and others will do exactly the same.
Mr Connolly: Political parties should not politicise that process.
MRS CARNELL: It is not political. This is not a political statement at all. Somebody is making a real difference at Christmas time and I think we all should be saying thank you to Jenny as a Canberran.
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