Mary Porter AM MLA - Labor Member for GinninderraYour Voice in the ACT Government |
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Community NoticesCommunity Notices EXPLORE CANBERRA'S HERITAGE HOMESTEADSubmitted by Annika Hutchins on Mon, 04/08/2008 - 11:02am.Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has encouraged Canberrans to explore the London Bridge Homestead with a ranger guided walk on Saturday 19 July 2008. "This Saturday Canberrans can join a 1.5 kilometre guided walk around the London Bridge Homestead, one of the ACT's unique heritage sites," Mr Stanhope said. "Walkers can view five remarkable building styles dating back to the 1860s including a stone cottage and a slab hut." Starting as a small stone and timber cottage, the London Bridge Homestead evolved into a collection of buildings used in the region between the 1860s and 1950s. The five remarkable buildings are a stone cottage, slab hut, lath and plaster; weatherboard building and a fibro annexe. Walkers should bring comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen and water. Enquiries can be made on 6207 2779. "Ranger Guided walks are a fun, healthy and educational activity that Canberrans can enjoy every weekend," Mr Stanhope said. Upcoming ranger guided walks and activities include: the National Tree Planting Day on Sunday 27 July and the weekly corroboree frog education program. For further information about ranger guided walks and activities visit http://www.tams.act.gov.au/ LIVING WITH FLAVOUR, DIABETES ACT LAUNCHES NATIONAL DIABETES WEEK 2008Submitted by Annika Hutchins on Mon, 04/08/2008 - 11:00am.“Diabetes is one of the world’s fastest growing chronic diseases, with more than 270 Australians being diagnosed with diabetes every day,” ACT Minister for Health Katy Gallagher said. Speaking at the launch of Living with Flavour, a celebration by Diabetes ACT of National Diabetes Week 2008 Ms Gallagher said Type 2 diabetes accounted for 85–90% of persons living with diabetes and, unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is strongly determined by general health, diet and physical activity.“Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle related disease, frequently occurring in people with poor diet, carrying excessive weight, who partake in minimal physical activity and experience abnormal blood fats and high blood pressure,” Ms. Gallagher said.“When so much of our controllable physical health is dependent on the quality, type and quantity of food we eat, it makes sense that healthy eating education would be an integral part of healthy lifestyle education.”“Australian research indicates that for every person diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes there is another person who remains undiagnosed. This means that significant damage is occurring to the undiagnosed individuals organs, eyes, kidneys and feet without them ever being aware.”“Living with Flavour is about increasing awareness of the prevalence of diabetes within our communities; demonstrating how healthy eating, exercise and an active lifestyle not only enormously benefits people already living with diabetes, but dramatically reduces the risk of people developing type 2 diabetes.”To find out more about Living with Flavour, go to http://www.diabetes-act.com.au/site/programs.php CHILDREN'S SERVICES COUNCIL ANNOUNCEDSubmitted by Annika Hutchins on Mon, 04/08/2008 - 10:59am.The Minister for Children and Young People Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA has announced the re-appointment of members of the Children’s Services Council, to take effect from 1 July 2008. The Minister noted the importance of the Council in providing high level advice to Government. “The Government recognises the important role the Children’s Services Council plays as a consultation forum on issues and services that impact on children and young people in the ACT,” Ms. Gallagher said.“Members have been re-appointed from the community who have expertise in relation to services for children and young people across diverse fields, as well as including members who can represent the interests of foster carers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.” The members are as follows:· Mrs Narelle Hargreaves (Chair)· Ms Bev Orr· Professor Peter Camilleri· Ms April Masters Smith· Ms Patricia Keller· Ms Che ryl Daw· Ms Jodie Stanley: and· Dr Kaye Price.The passing and implementation of the Children and Young People Bill 2008 requires the appointment of a new Children and Youth Services Council. “I extend my thanks for the important work undertaken by the members of the Council during the past period of appointment and wish the new council all the very best,” Ms. Gallagher concluded. CHILDREN'S SERVICES COUNCIL ANNOUNCEDSubmitted by Annika Hutchins on Mon, 04/08/2008 - 10:59am.The Minister for Children and Young People Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA has announced the re-appointment of members of the Children’s Services Council, to take effect from 1 July 2008. The Minister noted the importance of the Council in providing high level advice to Government. “The Government recognises the important role the Children’s Services Council plays as a consultation forum on issues and services that impact on children and young people in the ACT,” Ms. Gallagher said.“Members have been re-appointed from the community who have expertise in relation to services for children and young people across diverse fields, as well as including members who can represent the interests of foster carers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.” The members are as follows:· Mrs Narelle Hargreaves (Chair)· Ms Bev Orr· Professor Peter Camilleri· Ms April Masters Smith· Ms Patricia Keller· Ms Che ryl Daw· Ms Jodie Stanley: and· Dr Kaye Price.The passing and implementation of the Children and Young People Bill 2008 requires the appointment of a new Children and Youth Services Council. “I extend my thanks for the important work undertaken by the members of the Council during the past period of appointment and wish the new council all the very best,” Ms. Gallagher concluded. CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR 2008 AUDREY FAGAN POST GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMSubmitted by Annika Hutchins on Mon, 04/08/2008 - 10:50am.ACT Minister for Women, Ms Katy Gallagher, MLA was pleased to call for applications for the 2008 Audrey Fagan Post Graduate Scholarship, as part of the ACT Government's commitment to achieving a culture of equal representation of women in senior decision-making roles. "The Audrey Fagan Post Graduate Scholarships Program has been established to honour the late Audrey Fagan, the first female Chief Police Officer in the ACT. Ms Fagan brought a great depth of operational experience and understanding of government to the position." "The aim of the Audrey Fagan Post Graduate Scholarship Program is to provide $20,000 to encourage ACT women to further their studies and professional development in the areas of law enforcement, care and protection, or professional support services for women who are victims of violence, and to encourage the retention of skills within the ACT community," Ms. Gallagher said. "Ms Fagan left an indelible mark on this community in inspiring ACT women to believe in themselves and to reach their potential, whatever their barriers." "Her commitment and focus was also reflected in her academic achievements. The Audrey Fagan Scholarships Program will sustain the memory a woman who gave so much of herself to our community," Ms Gallagher said Further information about the Audrey Fagan Post Graduate Scholarship and application packages can be obtained from the ACT Office for Women, Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services by accessing the website. Website: www. women.act.gov.au RETIREMENT VILLAGE REVIEWSubmitted by Annika Hutchins on Fri, 01/08/2008 - 5:00pm.Mary Porter has announced she is reviewing the legislation that covers ACT Retirement Villages. “I have become aware that the ACT is the only Australian jurisdiction which does not have specific Retirement Village legislation, Mary commented. “As we live longer this will be a growing issue for us all. Many more people are choosing the security of buying residences in retirement villages and I am investigating whether we need specific legislation that will more appropriately protect those purchases." Currently, residents of retirement villages fall under the Fair Trading Act (1992) and the Retirement Villages Industry Code of Practice (1999). Following research of legislation in other jurisdictions undertaken by Mary, and in listening to the experiences of many who are living in retirement villages at a number of forums, it has emerged that many residents would like their special circumstances considered. “The elderly are amongst the most vulnerable in our community,” Mary explained, “so I have conducted forums to explore the experiences of consumers and have also sought the views of village operators to ensure they are all adequately protected.” Among the issues raised at the forums were financial management, disclosure of information and dispute resolution processes. Mary plans to table a discussion paper in the Legislative Assembly during the August sittings which she hopes will then promote further discussions. Further information is on Mary Porter’s website www.maryporter.net and online submissions may also be made. WHITE VAN SCAM IN THE ACTSubmitted by Annika Hutchins on Fri, 01/08/2008 - 4:47pm.Attorney General Simon Corbell is warning consumers in the ACT to beware of a scam in which poor-quality speakers are sold from the back of vans. "The scammers typically approach people at places like bus stops, at traffic lights or in car parks, and use high pressure and aggressive sales tactics, including accompanying the victim to an ATM to make a cash withdrawal," Mr Corbell said. "Victims are led to believe the speakers are of very high quality and a well-respected brand and that they are getting a bargain. "Car-boot traders often make false and misleading claims about the items they sell, and consumers later discover the product is of a lower standard than they were promised. "Remember, these people won't have a physical place of business and you don't have any way of contacting them if there are problems with the goods. "In addition, the vans are allegedly leased, so tracking them through their license plates is also difficult." Sales crews approach potential victims and advise they were oversupplied with stock and want to make a bit of extra money rather than returning it to their boss. They show the consumer bogus receipts and glossy brochures indicating they are of superior quality, and claim the speakers are worth a few thousand dollars. "If receipts are provided, contact details will generally be incorrect, leaving consumers with very little recourse," Mr Corbell said. "I am also concerned that victims will not tell Police or contact the Office of Regulatory Services about their purchase because they assume they have been involved in an illegal transaction, possibly purchasing stolen goods. "I urge anyone who is approached by these scammers to contact the Office of Regulatory Services on 6207 3000 with any details they can provide in relation to these illegal operators." |
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