Page 795 - Week 02 - Thursday, 25 February 2010

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RSPCA

Mr Sandy Tanner

MR COE (Ginninderra) (4.52): I stand here this afternoon to offer my support for the RSPCA ACT. The RSPCA do a superb job in the ACT, and I think a large part of that is due to the leadership provided by the CEO of the organisation, Michael Linke. Michael does a superb job in what is a very tricky business, a very tricky organisation in an industry that really is one of a kind in terms of its social service, government services as well as its business operations.

He has got some very exciting plans for the future of animal care and protection in the ACT, and one of those is of course a new facility. I know the facility they do have at the moment is quite dilapidated and tired but they are certainly making the most of it. It would be great if all parties in this Assembly could chat with Michael to hear about his vision for the future, the future of animal care in Canberra, and how we can be a part of making that come to fruition.

I would like to also offer my support to Sue Gage, who is the president of the organisation. She leads a great council, consisting of the vice president, Heidi Pritchard; the secretary, Ms Paula Shinerock; the treasurer, Tony Miller till December 2008; and from then, from December 2008, Ms Kasy Chambers. The other members of the committee are Dr Michael Cooper, Mrs Maureen Hickman, Mrs Jill Mail, Mrs Lee-Anne Shepherd and Ms Kasy Chambers before she was appointed treasurer.

The organisation, as I said, does a great job. I think that is evidenced by the great results they have with regard to the euthanasia of animals. Whether it be canines, felines or other animals, their record really is quite exemplary. I know it very much is a last resort to euthanise an animal. Those ambitious goals do come out in their statistics when it comes to their care and protection of animals.

The RSPCA offer a number of services. They have got their animal cruelty inspectorate; they have got an animal shelter; they have got a rescue, rehabilitate and release program; they have got of course their veterinary clinic; a dog and puppy training school; they have got a very well-equipped pet supply store; they have got an advisory service and a 24-hour-a-day emergency telephone support service; in addition a program of support for aged, infirm and at-risk community members.

Fundraising is, of course, a very big part of the work that they do because, without it, they would not be able to undertake their core business. So I support the organisations that have given over $5,000 in cash. They include Canberra Milk, Bendigo Bank, Dr Michael Cooper, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the Home Loan Centre, the Audi Centre Canberra, Richard Luton Properties, Prolific International, the Canberra Philharmonic Society and Intervet. There are many other organisations that support the RSPCA, and I take my hat off to those organisations as well.

Part of their fundraising is a quiz night, which is on tomorrow night. I know the Canberra Liberals have a table. I have got a nod from some other members here; so


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