Page 1766 - Week 05 - Thursday, 11 May 2017

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For a very small regional club with limited resources, Monaro punched way above its weight. Our budget compared to the big boys was miniscule but the
club’s supporter base was fanatical and took the club to success. My most memorable game in the NSL was against Eddy Thompson and John Kosmina’s Sydney City in 1985. Our already thin squad was decimated with half the team out. Despite playing against a full strength team of champions like Pezzano, Watson, Farina, O’Connor, Barnes etc—

Tony Pezzano, Joe Watson, Frank Farina, Steve O’Connor and Murray Barnes—

we came away with a 2 all draw. Kossie, the apparent team leader, was not impressed. I reckon we were 100 to 1 underdogs and really enjoyed the trip home.

I can believe that, knowing the way they enjoyed their trips home.

Let me give some of the highlights of Monaro’s history. In their first year, in 1967, they won the ACT second division title undefeated and were the ACT first division champions in 1977. They joined the New South Wales State League in 1978 and were New South Wales state league champions in 1979. Some of their notable players were John Santolin, Mario Donda, Sebastian Giampaolo, Walter Valeri, Tony Brennan and Steve Bryant. The current club president is Simon France. They have 1,000 players and some 200 volunteers. A past president, John Barilaro, is now the Deputy Premier of New South Wales.

MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Urban Renewal) (7.11): I stand to close debate on this motion and just make a note that while the opposition may wish to make a point with regard to a private member’s motion, it is our intention to ensure that we look after our staff and the staff of the Assembly. It is now past 7 pm, Madam Speaker.

MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Gentleman, but, as I understand, the Clerk has indicated that you cannot close the debate when another member is rising. The question is that the Assembly do now adjourn.

Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders—bush healing farm

MR MILLIGAN (Yerrabi) (7.12): This week we received the information that the Ngunnawal bush healing farm would not be operated as a drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation service. The Chief Minister made the statement that the community was, in his words, confused about the role and purpose of the farm and its zoning, whilst the health minister claimed that a precise model of care and the nature of the service still had to be worked out. It is interesting that neither of these members of the government is aware of what is going on. They seem to be completely misinformed about the history of Winnunga’s recent involvement with the bush healing farm. I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight and perhaps educate them.


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