Page 1169 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 28 March 2017
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the Assembly recently about how we know that the future of jobs globally is in STEM careers and thus how important it is to ensure that our children are supported and have early access to opportunities in these fields.
On top of the usual and excellent plant stalls, cake stalls and second-hand goods, the Fraser fete had interactive exhibits from Geoscience Australia, the National Dinosaur Museum, the Australian National University and the University of Canberra. Even towards the end of the fete, kids were engrossed in these fantastic exhibits. In addition, funds from the fete will be used to assist the school with the expansion of science and technology programs, including robotics, coding programs, 3D technology and other progressive initiatives.
I had the pleasure of assisting in Kerri’s kitchen at the fete. Kerri runs the school’s canteen. As you may have guessed, it is named after her. It is well known that there is not much to be said for my cooking skills, but thankfully that did not matter too much because Kerri had everything running like clockwork. I helped make and serve about 300 hot dogs over the course of three hours. That was on top of the canteen’s other delicious options of gourmet nachos, baked potatoes and curries. I want to make special mention of the warm welcome Kerri and the other parents gave me that day, which points to the warmth and support in the Fraser Primary School overall. I would like to congratulate them on a very successful event.
Last Saturday was the Charny Carny, a community carnival which has been a fixture on the Belconnen calendar for over a decade. After a year’s hiatus, the carnival was back in full force this year on the Charnwood ovals. Fittingly, it fell adjacent in the calendar to Neighbour Day, and I think that is a great way to describe the mood at the carnival: neighbourly.
In addition to plenty of rides for the young and the young at heart, including dodgem cars, there were live bands and community groups represented, such as the Belconnen Community Service and Belconnen Community Council, as well as local sporting groups who were encouraging sign-ups. Despite the threat of, and then actual, rain, the crowds stepped out and the bands played on. There was plenty of food to be had, including from the Mount Rogers Scout Group, which had one of the most impressive sausage sizzle operations I have seen.
A highlight of the Charny Carny for a while has been Apple Sauce. For those of you in the Assembly who do not know, Apple Sauce is a life-size pig. This year, Apple Sauce was, sadly, replaced by Ham Solo, H-A-M Solo. While I was saddened to hear that Apple Sauce has retired, his cousin Ham Solo aptly stepped into the role from a galaxy far away. I apologise if I might be hamming it up, Mr Assistant Speaker, but may the pork be with the Charny Carny for years to come. Again, my sincere thanks to the Charny Carny committee, who made me feel so welcome throughout the day.
Finally, I want to make mention of the Hawker primary school fete, which is being held this Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. Many Belconnen residents will have seen the excellent posters and roadside signs dotting the landscape, and I encourage everyone to get along. The fete will have an international food stall, reptiles, cupcake decorating, a buskers corner, a cake stall, a plant stall, a silent auction and much more. Of particular interest to many people will be who will end up kissing the crocodile.
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