Page 2957 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 14 August 2019

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The event was a resounding success, with over 30 people coming out to help clean up the Giralang pond and enjoy a barbecue with their friends, family and neighbours. Together, we collected over 20 bags of rubbish and left the pond and the surrounding area a lot better off than how we found it.

As well as the satisfaction of knowing that the Giralang pond was now cleaner and healthier, I think I can say that everyone who came took away something extra. For Alicia and me, it was an excellent opportunity to meet and catch up with members of our electorates. For the wonderful people of Giralang and Kaleen who came along, it was an opportunity to meet their neighbours and to get more involved in their local community. And for the Giralang Pond Landcare Group, the clean-up proved to be an excellent recruitment opportunity. I take this opportunity to give my sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who came to the clean-up.

I also take a moment to acknowledge Ms Denise Kay. As President of the Giralang Pond Landcare Group, Denise has worked tirelessly to protect and improve the Giralang pond. She has hosted numerous Clean Up Australia Day clean-ups at the Giralang pond, secured new seating around the pond to make it a better communal area for the Giralang community and has had lights added to make the area safer at night. I congratulate and thank Denise for her outstanding dedication to Giralang’s environment and community.

Last month I went along to a community tree planting with the Giralang Pond Landcare Group to mark National Tree Day on 28 July. Once again, the Giralang community was invited to come together to support their local environment and once again the Giralang community did not disappoint. We had a fantastic turnout and were able to plant 50 new trees throughout the Giralang wetlands. These new trees will help improve habitat quality for wildlife, increase shade around the wetlands and improve the amenity of this natural green space, while also mitigating the impact of heat and climate change.

Tonight I thank everyone who attended the tree planting and, most importantly, I thank the entire Giralang Pond Landcare Group for organising the tree planting day. It was wonderful to catch up with members of the Giralang Pond Landcare Group and it was also great to see people who had attended the community clean-up back out in our community.

As someone who is deeply passionate about supporting and protecting our environment, I found it extremely encouraging to see the Giralang and Kaleen community embrace and participate in both events. Engaging with the local community of my electorate is one of the best parts of being a local member and I am very much looking forward to working with the Giralang Pond Landcare group into the future.

Breastmilk bank

MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra) (6.05): We know that breastmilk contains nutrients essential for children’s development and immunity, but unfortunately the decision to


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