Page 449 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 December 2008
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my brigade has been looking for people to stand up and I have committed to do more because I have done a lot less over the last couple of years, but there are a lot of people who are going to spend a lot of time over the Christmas break at fire sheds around the territory and they are standing up or are on warnings for Christmas Day.
Early in the new year we get the storm season, which we have seen in the last couple of January-February periods, and no doubt the SES volunteers will come into play there. If all of us in this place and the community can do the best we can to prepare our places, our residences, for the fire season and the storm season that would be a good thing. To the police and all the medical staff who do not get days off and will provide all those wonderful services over the Christmas break, thank you for what you do. We will not forget you either.
I am particularly looking forward to Christmas Day. My son, David, is 2¾. He is getting a big box of Thomas the Tank Engine and we are going to play—
Ms Gallagher: He is not listening at the moment.
MR SMYTH: He is not listening. He thinks Santa is bringing it, but it has been on lay-by. It is all paid off, it is at home, it is gift-wrapped and I cannot wait to open it with him. Merry Christmas to you all.
Valedictory
MS BRESNAN (Brindabella) (10.41): We also want to thank all the Assembly staff here and the attendants and everyone in the Clerk’s office. We would not have been able to settle in as easily as we did—well, I guess not “easily”—but you have helped us through this period, particularly this week, and we really thank you a lot for that; it has been invaluable.
Valedictory
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (10.41): I would just like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas, to thank everyone, particularly all the staff in the Assembly, for the invaluable assistance they provide.
I did rise in the final adjournment debate prior to the election and said that I had two wishes for the remainder of 2008. They would be, firstly, the return of a Labor government—I am very pleased to see that that did occur—and, secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, that my beloved Hawthorn Football Club would win a premiership. I did, I must confess, take a day out of the election campaign to go and see that feat, and for a Hawthorn supporter of 25 years it was fantastic to be there on that day. That certainly did warm the heart and provide that final spur over the last few weeks of the campaign.
Before closing, I would like to thank my staff and pay tribute to Ryan Hamilton, who is leaving at the end of this year to go and take up a job in the private sector. I wish him all the best. Also, Liz Lopa, who would be known to many of you, had her baby
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