It was lovely to chat to Elizabeth Cooper from Lifeline Tasmania about their ongoing work helping people at risk in the community.
Lifeline is currently looking for new volunteers to provide companionship to recipients of home care packages and people living in residential aged care.
If you think this would interest you please contact Elizabeth on 6282 1515 or email lib.cooper@lifelinetasmania.org.au. If you think someone else would be interested, tag them in the comments below.
Congratulations to the Multicultural Women’s Council of Tasmania for a great International Women’s Day event, featuring lots of entertainment and a delicious afternoon tea.
It was also lovely to catch up with Fran Bladel.
While International Women’s Day has been recognised for over 100 years, we still have a long way to go to achieve gender equality – even in Australia where women have lower pay, retire with lower superannuation balances, and are far more likely to be victims of domestic violence.
The challenges women face in achieving gender equality are so much greater for women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, which is why the work of the MWCT is so important.
I was proud to join my Labor colleagues Julie Collins MP and Alison Standen MP, the CPSU Tasmania – PSU and the Huon Valley community rallying to oppose cuts to Centrelink services in Huonville.
The CPSU called today’s rally in response to plans to merge the Huonville Centrelink office with Service Tasmania – a move that will lead to a further reduction in services.
It is outrageous that the Morrison Government would seek to impose cuts to services on a community that is continuing to suffer the economic, emotional and psychological impacts of the recent fires, especially when many local residents will need help accessing disaster relief payments.
It was a pleasure to celebrate Female Football Week at a breakfast this morning with Football Tasmania, State and Federal Labor colleagues and many other invited guests.
Interesting speeches from Julie Collins MP, former Matilda and Canberra United FC Head Coach Heather Garriock covering the need for development of women’s changerooms, encouraging female participation in sport and equality for women in sport.
It was delightful to meet with Maria Bond from the Tasmanian Branch of Bears Of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support.
Bears of Hope is a wonderful organisation providing support and care for families who experience the loss of their baby during pregnancy, birth or infancy.
The recent Senate inquiry into stillbirth research and education, which I participated in, has led to a greater awareness of this heartbreaking issue and made recommendations that will lead to more appropriate support for grieving parents and families.
I met today with Rick Perrin and Paul Fulton, from Joule Logic, along with John Titchen, from Goldwind Australia, to talk about Tasmania’s renewable energy potential.
Goldwind’s Cattle Hill Wind Farm, currently under construction, will provide enough clean power to supply approximately 63,500 Tasmanian homes.
Labor is serious about tackling climate change and supporting the transition to a clean, affordable energy sector, driven by our commitment to 50% renewable energy, and a 45% reduction in emissions by 2030.
My Talking Point article in today’s The Mercury discusses how Labor’s $46 million Swim Smart initiative will help children gain the skills they need to prevent them from drowning.
Too many Australians drown in our oceans, pools and waterways. Whether children learn basic swimming, water safety and survival skills should not be determined by where they live, which school they attend or whether their parents can afford swimming lessons.
Whether it is at the beach, in a pool or in rivers and dams, spending time in the water is part of the Australian way of life.
Unfortunately our love of water can be dangerous.
Having grown up near the water in Margate, my siblings and I were taught to swim from an early age, and we were acutely aware of the dangers that water can pose.
From July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, 249 people died from drowning at beaches, pools and inland waterways.
More than double that number were hospitalised for non-fatal drownings, many resulting in long-term injuries such as brain damage. There were 800 drowning incidents in Australian waterways in 2017-2018, including 551 non-fatal incidents. Among them were 56 people under 25.
A heartbreaking fact is that drowning continues to be a leading cause of death for children aged under five, 18 of whom drowned in 2017-18.
To read the full article Click Here
Caught up this morning with Teresa and Sophie Briggs to discuss preparations for the 2nd Black and White Ball in support of Cure Brain Cancer.
As an ambassador for Cure Brain Cancer I really appreciate the great work these two do organising this fantastic fundraiser.
If anyone has any queries about the Ball – which will be held at the Elwick Function Centre on Saturday 27 April – please contact Teresa on 0429 013 204 or rickiebriggs@bigpond.com.
Congratulations to the Kingborough Council on another successful annual awards presentation. It is wonderful to see so many people volunteering in the community in so many varied areas and making such a huge difference in so many individuals’ lives.
For a full list of 2019 Kingborough Awards winners Click Here
