Page 4052 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 30 October 2013

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the centre that Emu Bank could develop further into a rich cultural and entertainment precinct and I hope that such an opportunity is articulated in any updates to the Belconnen master plan.

Madam Speaker, I would like to commend the board of the Belconnen Arts Centre for their commitment to the arts, but also the Canberra community in general. I mention Ms Evol McLeod OAM, the chair; Mr Rex Hollier, the treasurer; Mrs Maryann Mussared, secretary, also with the Strathnairn Arts Association; Mr Graham Bauerle, the public officer, also with the Phoenix Players; Mr Asmi Wood, a senior research fellow at the National Centre for Indigenous Studies and the HDR program manager; Ms Shirley Gourgaud, formerly of the Belconnen Community Council; Ms Gillian Harris-Mayes, human resources consultant; Paul Hetherington, an associate professor of writing at the University of Canberra; and Mr Shane Radnell, general manager at Colliers International.

I would also like to commend and thank the staff for their professional approach to the smooth management of the centre and the promotion of the objectives of the arts centre. I mention Daniel Ballantyne, the chief executive officer; Jack Lloyd, the business and operations director; Jacque Schutlze, creative programs director; Pat Miller, finance officer; Dianne Libke, front of house officer; Julia Boyd, the marketing and events manager; Nola Adcock, the administration and volunteer officer; Robin Davidson, Nicola Lambert, Ann McMahon and Philip Piggin.

Finally, I encourage all members to visit their website at www.belconnenartscentre.com.au, sign up to their great newsletter or, better still, attend one of the many exhibitions, events and concerts in their great program.

Mr Greg Mews

MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (6.17): I rise tonight to speak briefly about Greg Mews, who has been working at the National Heart Foundation since 2008. Greg is shortly to leave Canberra and it seems an appropriate time to acknowledge the contribution that he has made. It was rather revolutionary for a health-based NGO to employ an urban planner. Certainly, the first time I met Greg and I found out that he was with the Heart Foundation I think I experienced that sense of surprise as well.

He has facilitated a great depth of work in holistic policy-making in the area of preventative health, including how transport, urban spaces and path networks all relate to healthy lifestyles. What he has sought to do is really bring together that whole picture and deliver the Heart Foundation’s mission to get us all more active and more healthy through the eyes of an urban planner.

I think his erudite explanations of how this all links together makes perfect sense to me, and I am sure other members who have met Greg would acknowledge that. His personal contribution has been outstanding. He has been tireless and enthusiastic in his advocacy for better outcomes. I can only demonstrate this most accurately by sharing a brief anecdote.


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