A huge congratulations to Edna Pennicott, President of Kingborough Helping Hands, for being awarded the Aurora Energy Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tasmanian Volunteering Awards held at Government House today.

This award is a well-deserved recognition of Edna’s tireless dedication to the cause of helping people less fortunate – something she has spent hours doing day-in-day-out for decades without seeking, or expecting, anything in return except for the satisfaction of helping her community.

Thank you to Volunteering Tasmania for organising the awards and for this fitting recognition of Edna’s outstanding contribution.

Gorgeous sunny weather at the Kingston early voting centre and the Bureau predicts it’ll keep up for Election Day.

Let’s hope we see the sun shining on a victory for Bill Shorten and Labor, and a government that puts schools and hospitals before tax breaks for the top end of town.

Thanks to Audun, the hardworking volunteer who’s joined me here today.

Exciting things are happening in Clarence Plains with the opening today of One Community Together‘s new offices. One Community Together has been bringing together local services providers to address community need under the Collective Impact model for the past 5 years.

Great to catch up with Labor colleagues Julie Collins MP, who cut the ribbon, Alison Standen MP and Sarah Lovell MLC. Also pleased to see Cate Clark from the Rokeby Neighbourhood Centre and John Stubley from Hobart City Mission.

Throughout this election, I have worked with and supported Labor’s strong Tasmanian team for the House of Representatives.

Justine Keay – Labor MP for Braddon, Ross Hart MP, Brian Mitchell Federal MP for Lyons and Julie Collins MP are all hardworking members who care about and have delivered for Tasmania and Tasmanians. If successful, Ben McGregor – Labor for Clark will make a great Member for Clark.

I am also proud to again be part of the Labor Senate team. The Labor preference is for people to vote 1 Labor above the line (please ensure you number at least 6 boxes above the line to make your vote count).

The second annual Black and White Ball was a huge success raising thousands for Cure Brain Cancer (final total yet to be announced).

We heard stories – some tragic and some heartwarming – from speakers who had lost loved ones to brain cancer, but who had also been motivated by their experiences to do everything they can to support the cause to find new treatments and one day a cure.

I was proud to join the organising committee for this event with the fabulous Teresa Briggs and Sandy Turner, and to MC the event.

As the sun rose this morning thousands turned up to Kingston Beach to pay their respects to Australia’s service men and women – those who served, those currently serving and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Attendees were then invited to breakfast at the RSL.

Thanks to the Kingston Beach RSL Sub Branch for putting together another great ANZAC Day commemoration.

The Cattle Hill Wind Farm, situated by the shore of Lake Echo, is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Tasmania.

I thoroughly enjoyed touring the site at the invitation of Goldwind Australia. Continue reading →

Hundreds of locals turned up for the official opening of the Kingborough Community Hub, an exciting milestone in the Kingston Park development.

Kingston Park, a $6.4 million master planning exercise, was started by Kingborough Council on the former site of Kingston High School, with the support of State and Federal Labor governments, and has had bipartisan support. It is creating a new commercial Centre for Kingston with the potential to attract hundreds of new jobs to the area.

A big thanks to everyone involved in the opening including Aunty Brenda, who delivered a wonderful welcome to country.

I would like to congratulate all the Rosny College students who received awards at last night’s 2019 Achievers Ceremony. It was my privilege to sponsor The Playgroup Award and present it to Jessica Allen.

Thank you to Principal Anthony Coe for inviting me and giving me a chance to see the extraordinary depth and breadth of talent among Rosny College students. I wish all the students will with their future career and study plans.