Page 535 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Adjournment
Motion by Mr Barr proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
St Mary MacKillop college
Ms Amy Gillett
MR DOSZPOT (Brindabella) (5.24): In my capacity as shadow minister for education and training, I had the pleasure of accepting an invitation from Mr Michael Lee, the principal of the newly renamed St Mary MacKillop college, to join the school community last Friday, 19 February, at their opening mass for 2010. This mass is always marked by dignified worship, sincere praise and an energy that reflects the pulse and rhythm of St Mary MacKillop college. Last Friday was no exception, as 1,700 students and around 400 parents joined in prayer in a very inspirational start for the coming year.
I was particularly impressed by the number of young people who graduated last year and who returned on Friday to celebrate with their former school. I offer my sincere congratulations to Mr Michael Lee, the principal of St Mary MacKillop college, and his executive, Mrs Michelle Marks, Ms Sandra Darley, Mr Paul O’Callaghan and Mrs Lois White, and all the staff at the college for a very well organised and quite emotional event which was no doubt helped by the news received that day from the Vatican about the canonisation of the college’s patron, Blessed Mary MacKillop.
I am obviously very pleased at this recognition of a great Australian and her dedication to the homeless, the new immigrants, the lonely and the unwanted. Her legacy through the “Brown Joeys” is still delivering today her message of reverence for and recognition of human dignity. This timely recognition of her life and example will hopefully inspire many within our Tuggeranong and Canberra communities.
Having been taught by the sisters of St Joseph at St Fiacre’s, Leichhardt, during my primary school days, I am very much aware of the good works and the profound influence of Mary MacKillop and her order on the formation of Catholic education in Australia. I once again offer my congratulations to Mr Michael Lee for the continued good work within St Mary MacKillop college.
Also, I was at an event in honour of Amy Gillett, which I would like to say a few brief words about. Most of us will remember with sadness the tragic and very untimely death of Australian rower and track cyclist Amy Gillett on 18 July 2005. Amy was killed in an accident in Zeulenroda, Germany, when a young motorist lost control of her car and crashed into the squad with which Amy was cycling. Other members of the squad were seriously injured in the crash. This was a terrible loss both in personal terms to Amy’s family and friends and also to Australian sport.
Amy was a rising star who had represented Australia overseas in rowing on a number of occasions, including the Atlanta Olympics. She decided to switch her focus to cycling and was thought to have a real chance of winning a medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately, this was not to be.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .