Page 1455 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 10 April 2013

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opportunities. The new UC hospital will work closely with the nearby Calvary hospital, as well as the Canberra Hospital, providing more beds in an integrated health service across Canberra.

Calvary hospital is undergoing a huge expansion in the areas of coronary care, intensive care and the emergency department, adding additional treatment spaces and consultation rooms. Joint planning of the Calvary hospital zone includes future car parking needs and is continuing.

The new University of Canberra sports hub announced at the last election will also add significantly to the depth of facilities serving Canberrans. It will support sporting organisations and increase the opportunities for UC students to build careers within sport. Mr Corbell recently said:

The proposed sports hub at UC will be a state-of-the-art facility that will provide a permanent home for the Brumbies, and help to ensure the long-term stability of the club, and support the further development of the sport in the ACT.

It is also a great fit with the nearby AIS, training elite sportspeople from across Australia and giving Canberrans access to some of the best sports training facilities and coaches in the world. There is also a great tie-in between these institutions and school education in Belconnen.

Last year I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the University of Canberra Lake Ginninderra college sporting hall of fame. Olympians such as Lauren Jackson featured amongst the gold medal winners who attended the college whilst training at the AIS.

The Education and Training Directorate and the University of Canberra have deeds of agreement that set out how the University of Canberra, the University of Canberra High School Kaleen and the University of Canberra Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra work together to enhance student learning outcomes and pathways into tertiary education through a unique and innovative education partnership.

I have also had the opportunity to see UC students working, one on one, on individual reading and maths plans with University of Canberra High School Kaleen students. It gives UC students great practical experience and helps raise the standards of the Kaleen students through this intensive work.

The deeds of agreement have a range of benefits, including improved pathways for students in territory high schools through to college and tertiary education, providing opportunities for the territory teachers’ professional development and engagement with academics of the university, supporting university-led research for the development of innovative practices and providing professional learning and practice opportunities in health, youth and justice studies, speech pathology and other professional areas.

Of course, the ACT government is investing in all schools in Belconnen in a plan that will benefit all Canberrans. I was especially proud of the $28 million commitment at


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