House debates

Monday, 28 November 2016

Statements by Members

Canberra Electorate: Christmas, ACT Boccia

4:41 pm

Photo of Gai BrodtmannGai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | | Hansard source

For many of us Christmas is a time to relax, to spend time with our family and our friends, to have a little bit of a break and to swap presents. But for many Canberra families it is a difficult time. They may have the difficult choice between paying for presents and a Christmas feast or paying the bills. They are faced with that very difficult choice. That is why, in the lead up to Christmas, I am once again asking Canberrans to dig deep and help out.

I have set up a giving tree in my office in Tuggeranong and I encourage Canberrans to drop by and give non-perishable food items. There is a broad range of items, because I have three organisations I am giving to this year. The first is St John's Care, which is based at its church in Reid. The second is the YWCA Lanyon Food Hub. The third is the Domestic Violence Crisis Service. Canberrans, please dig deep and help those most in need during the Christmas season.

In closing, I would like to make a shout out the ACT boccia team, who recently participated in the Boccia Australia nationals. Congratulations to the bronze: All Stars Corena Sheridan, who was team BC1/BC2. Congratulations to the pairs BC4/BC5, who got a silver: David Primmer and James Roe. Congratulations and well done. Thank for flying the flag so proudly for the ACT. I look forward, as you patron, to seeing you soon and celebrating with a big happy photo.