David Smith (Bean, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week I hosted the Capital Region Showcase here at Parliament House. It's an event to highlight the breadth and depth of experiences and attractions that are available right across the capital region. Canberra is written off by many, as a boring place for politics, politicians and public servants, and I always appreciate being able to showcase what our region has to offer, including pieces from national cultural institutions, local foods, local wines and attractions.

The showcase featured 38 exhibitors and included the National Gallery of Australia, the National Film and Sound Archive, the National Museum of Australia, the AIS, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Portrait Gallery, Questacon, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There was also the chance to sample food and drink from producers across the region, including Underground Spirits, a strong representative from the Bean electorate; Eden Road Wines; the Canberra Distillery; Garlicious Grown; BentSpoke and many others. Thank you to all those that participated in the event for making it a wonderful evening, and thank you to the National Capital Attractions Association, the ACT government and VisitCanberra for their assistance in pulling this event together. One of the many privileges of my role is having the ability to elevate and showcase the incredible things on offer in my community and the broader region, and I look forward to being able to continue to showcase my community throughout this term of parliament.

Australia Day is a time to reflect on our community, welcoming new citizens into it and recognising those who have completed incredible acts of service within it. The Bean community is fortunate to have many of these individuals, including a significant number of people receiving recognition for work within the Australian military and defence forces: Brigadier Nathan Juchniewicz, for exceptional service in senior command appointments in Forces Command and Special Operations Command; Commodore Nathan Robb, for exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy in the field of maritime logistics; Group Captain Anthony Kay, for outstanding achievement in the application of extraordinary skills and judgement in the development and control of air mobility capability for the Australian Defence Force; Wing Commander Grant Leader, for meritorious achievement as the Liaison Officer within the United States Air Warfare Center; Warrant Officer Cheryl Collins, for meritorious performance of duty as Command Warrant Officer Training Force, Command Warrant Officer Navy People, and Warrant Officer Joint Operations Command; and Warrant Officer Class One Anthony Luchterhand, for meritorious service over successive regimental sergeant major appointments as a senior enlisted adviser, master trainer and mentor. Thank you all for your service to our community and for safeguarding our nation.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Weston Creek Men's Shed down in Rivett to recognise the incredible volunteer work of Bill Wallace. Bill's work as a volunteer began with the Scouts and led to him being heavily involved in the development of Camp Cottermouth. From there he has assisted in numerous volunteer roles, including assisting the police force with bush survival training and volunteering with the Mountain Trails Adventure School at Wee Jasper. Bill is the Weston Creek Men's Shed's current workshop manager. He spends many hours a week tutoring and nurturing others in the woodworking trade and ensuring that the workshop is a safe, comfortable workplace for anyone that wants to join. The President of the Weston Creek Men's Shed, Brian Black, described him as 'your quintessential "doer". Practical, skilled and ever ready to help without question. He thoroughly deserves to be honoured by his community.' And I couldn't agree more. Bill's story is just one example of the incredible volunteer work completed by people across the Bean community every week.

One of my highlights each year is the Bean volunteer recognition evening, where volunteer organisations right across the community come together to celebrate the work of those that so often go unrecognised and unrewarded. I look forward to continuing to recognise these individuals throughout this term of parliament and celebrating the Bean volunteer recognition evening again in the Main Committee Room of this parliament building as well.