Page 1832 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 5 May 2010
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visited a number of places where they discussed some of the issues that confront some of the heritage locations here in Canberra.
We also had events at the Queanbeyan Printing Museum, the Queanbeyan library and the Golden Brewery amongst other places around Canberra. The Heraldry and Genealogy Society of Canberra, also known as HAGSOC, had a couple of events, including a family history open day where they offered people help in how and where to hunt for your ancestors and collect their stories. They have got a wealth of information and access to a tremendous amount of resources. It would be great for more people to get to know about that.
The Tuggeranong Homestead had an event or two, and I commend Neil Gillespie for the great work he does there. At that event, the historic machinery collection from Malcolm Vale was launched. In addition, visitors got to have a look around the site.
The National Archives of Australia was involved, and Dr David Lee presented some insights into the Australian Prime Minister Stanley Bruce, amongst other things. We also had the Australian Railway Historical Society host a number of events, including a couple of railway journeys. The railway society is an organisation I have spoken about once or twice here in the chamber before.
The Hyatt Hotel, once called Hotel Canberra, delivered a presentation about some of the rare items they have and about the history of the building. St John’s school house, as well as the church itself, hosted a number of events, as did the Canberra Archaeological Society. I commend Helen Cooke, the President of the Archaeological Society, for the work she does, and her committee.
It was a great festival and I commend all those involved. Like other members in this place, I look forward to the 2011 festival and the many things that are in store and to engaging more people in the history and heritage of Canberra and the region.
Anzac Day
MR HANSON (Molonglo) (6.39): It was a great honour over the last few weeks to participate in a number of Anzac Day events. In the lead-up, I spent quite some considerable time at Cooleman Court selling the Anzac Day pins and badges. I would like to pass on my thanks to the Woden Valley sub-branch of the RSL, of which I am a member, in particular to John Kent, who was the organiser at Cooleman Court in Weston Creek. He got us all working, and I note to a couple of fellows that I sold pins with—a guy called Merv Armstrong, a World War II vet, and another World War II vet called John Reilly, who is actually a veteran of Kokoda. Those guys have been out there either selling things for Anzac Day or Remembrance Day probably for longer than I have been alive. They have been stalwarts of our community, looking after their mates who have aged and looking after the widows. It was a great honour to do that with them.
I joined the Woden Valley sub-branch for the Anzac eve dinner, on the 24th, obviously. It was great to see that the National President of the RSL, Ken Doolan, joined us to speak, as did the New Zealand High Commissioner, John Larkindale.
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