Mr ANTHONY ROBERTS (Lane Cove) [1.08 p.m.]: I express my admiration for the New South Wales Association for Gifted and Talented Children Inc. The association was founded in my electorate of Lane Cove at a public meeting held at Lane Cove Town Hall on 20 August 1979. Around 170 persons from all over Sydney attended that meeting, which was quickly followed by a meeting on Monday 10 September 1979, which also included a guest speaker, Mr Henry Collins, who was the Chairman of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children. By the second meeting the membership had grown from 70 families to 120 families. Within the first year of the association they had produced a newsletter, had meetings with the then Minister for Education, Mr Landa, and received support from Barbara Murphy, Vice President of the Teachers Federation.

Within its first two years the membership of the association had increased to more than 250 families, and group membership was available to schools, several of which had joined. The first regional group was established in Bathurst. By the end of the two years, regional groups included New England, the Blue Mountains, Newcastle and Wollongong. The association also received registered charity and not-for-profit status from the New South Wales Government and the Australian Taxation Office. The first president of the association was Laura Watson, who had to vacate the position when she moved to the military base at Puckapunyal, Victoria. Mr Maydwell of Lane Cove, who was then the vice-president of the association, became the president. In the early years Mr Len Maydwell, Mr Don Mageray and Mr Neville Westwood, all of Lane Cove, served in the roles of president, vice-president and honorary secretary as well as on the general committee. Other areas from which committee members came were North Richmond, Winston Hills, Balmain, Frenchs Forest, Pymble, Northbridge, Randwick, Box Hill, Beacon Hill, Hurstville and Kingsford.

While the association does not have all the statistics for the 31-year period, since 1990 it has provided resources to more than 8,000 members, about 1,000 school memberships and 100 libraries, and it has run more than 200 events for 3,000 children and adults. The association also runs seminars at which it presents both national and international speakers. The association has seven suburban groups covering the whole metropolitan area, as well as regional contacts in Lismore, Gunnedah, Port Macquarie, Bathurst, Hay, Wagga Wagga, Goulburn, the Australian Capital Territory, the Blue Mountains and Penrith. The association has 10 special interest groups, including the Gifted with Learning Disabilities, a monthly support group that meets in the North Ryde area. I believe it is the only group in Australia that currently provides for this special needs category.

Contrary to popular belief, gifted children do not emerge solely from affluent communities. They can be found in disadvantaged or remote communities. The association supports these children and their families beyond their membership base. Additionally, many gifted children have learning disabilities and conditions, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD], auditory processing disorder, dyslexia and Asperger's syndrome, as well as hypersensitivities. The association receives no funding, as such, and raises money through membership fees, events and sales. As with any charity, it provides help and support to a growing proportion of the New South Wales population, regardless of membership, school, location or status. With its limited resources it tries to help, answer and support as many people as its resources allow, and it demands nothing in return.

Today people from my electorate are still helping through volunteering to shape our future. Anthony Nolan, OAM, JP, who scored a perfect score in an IQ test, is the current treasurer of the association and the gifted children's coordinator for MENSA Australia, the high IQ society. He also runs an online support group for gifted adults, mentors children in regional areas via webcam, runs a support group for visual spatial thinkers and contributes to gifted publications. Anthony also has a full-time job. Anthony and his wife, Emily, are about to start a family. I am proud that the New South Wales Gifted and Talented Association, which is recognised as the biggest, most active and leading gifted and talented association in Australia, was established in my electorate. It is a credit not only to Lane Cove but also to our wonderful State and perhaps even Australia.

Ms ANGELA D'AMORE (Drummoyne—Parliamentary Secretary) [1.12 p.m.]: I thank the member for Lane Cove for highlighting the New South Wales Association for Gifted and Talented Children, which was founded in his electorate. I am pleased that he has acknowledged in this Chamber the good work of this association not only in his electorate and in Sydney but also throughout New South Wales. The association provides support for many families. As the member said, more than 8,000 members and others have benefited from the association. Associations such as this do great work in our communities, often with very little funding but through the work of dedicated people. I thank the member for his contribution today.