Page 5478 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 8 December 2009
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Marymead was established in 1967, and its mission is caring for children, supporting families, building community. Marymead provides assistance to 1,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families in Canberra. The organisation’s 175 staff and 140 volunteers are tireless in their commitment to look after those less fortunate in our community.
Of course, like other charitable organisations, Marymead depends on the generosity of those in the community to deliver the vital services it does. I would like to congratulate Ms Hilary Martin, the chief executive officer, for her leadership of the organisation. Ms Martin reflected on the generosity of the Canberra community last month:
The fact that such a building is even possible is a true reflection of the respect and appreciation that the Canberra community has for the work we do at Marymead.
Too often it is said that Canberra is a city without a soul. But in this case, and in so many other cases around our city and territory, we prove that this is most definitely not the case. The entire construction of the Cassells building was funded by donations. The Cassells building is named in honour of Alice Patricia Cassells, who was very generous in bequeathing a large amount of money for the construction of the building. In 2007, as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations, the buy-a-brick campaign was launched, which enabled further funds to be raised. Others individually sponsored the construction, and the Marymead Auxiliary also played a very important role in raising further funds.
I would like to pay tribute to all those who have contributed to the construction of such a wonderful facility. It is an important addition to Marymead and will ensure that Marymead can help those vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community in an even more effective and sensitive way.
Christmas is now fast approaching and there are many Christmas appeals across Canberra to provide some Christmas cheer for those who would otherwise not have much to enjoy at Christmas. Marymead has been busy organising one such appeal, and I would now like to mention some of the organisations and businesses that have been generous enough to contribute: ACT Woodcraft Guild, the Amaroo preschool, the ANZ business bank, the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the Australian Institute of Management, the British High Commission, Calvary hospital social club, Canberra Accueil, Canberra Quilters Inc, Centrelink Canberra, Church of St Andrew, D&S Datafix, Dimension Data, Florist at Parliament House, GHD, Hawker primary school, infrastructure division social club at the Department of Defence, InTACT, King Financial Services, Lions Club of Canberra at Woden, Lyons primary school, Macquarie Real Estate, Mountain View, Servcorp, Snedden Hall and Gallop lawyers, Stepping Stones, St George Bank, Style Emporium, the Swiss High Commission, the Hermitage, the Smith Family (ACT), UnitingCare Kippax, Urambi primary school, Westfield Belconnen, Westfield Woden and Zoo Design Advertising.
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