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- 1 June 2007
Her Excellency the Governor Lismore Electorate Visit
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Speakers - George Mr Thomas
Business - Private Members Statements
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Page: 664
Mr THOMAS GEORGE (Lismore) [10.20 a.m.]: I recognise the two-day visit to the Lismore electorate by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Marie Bashir. Her Excellency met with hundreds of representatives of the local community and charitable organisations. Her Excellency had the honour of opening Widjabul Park, which was named after the Widjabul tribe from the Bundjalung nation. The park, which is situated at the northern entry to Southern Cross University and centres around a lake, includes rainforest plantings and picnic tables. It will be a relaxing place for those who visit. The park was a joint project of Southern Cross University, Lismore rotary club and local businesses. During the opening ceremony, which was held under a marquee, birds flew right up to Her Excellency. She felt that was an indication that the park would be a place of peace and appropriate recognition of the original owners of the land.
Following the opening of the park Her Excellency attended a lunch hosted by the Chancellor of Southern Cross University, the Hon. John Dowd. Through cooperation with my office, all the school captains of the Lismore electorate were invited to attend a lunch. The students were inspired by the chancellor's speech and appreciated the honour of being invited to hear the Governor of New South Wales speak. At the conclusion of speeches Her Excellency invited the students to ask questions. The students, who were unaware they would have this opportunity, asked some excellent questions. They made me very proud to represent the Lismore electorate. They are the leaders of tomorrow. Their presentation, their questions and their interaction with the Governor were a credit to their schools, their families and themselves.
In the afternoon we met with local representatives of welfare organisations at the Salvation Army Citadel, where the President of the Mental Health Support Group, Mrs Barbara Swain, stressed upon the Governor the importance of suitable mental health facilities in regional areas such as the North Coast. I am pleased to note that in the next 12 months we will finalise the building of the new mental health unit in Lismore. In the evening the Governor met with local mayors, councillors and members of the local Lebanese community at a civic reception. Everyone was thrilled and honoured to be in the presence of the Governor. Her Excellency has an aura about her that is difficult to describe. Her Excellency the Governor is patron of the House With No Steps. She inspected the Summerland House With No Steps at Alstonville, which is a well-known local nursery, restaurant and horticultural facility that provides employment for people with disabilities.
The Governor was very impressed with the Summerland House With No Steps, which has been operating for more than 36 years and has provided assistance to thousands of people. I am also proud to be a patron of the facility. The following day Her Excellency attended the Trinity Catholic College Anzac memorial service, which was held in its new auditorium and sports facility on the school grounds. Her Excellency paid tribute to Trinity Catholic College for its impressive Anzac memorial service. The graciousness, energy and good humour demonstrated by Her Excellency during her visit was inspiring. I am extremely honoured to have accompanied her during her visit. The people of the Lismore electorate were certainly honoured by the visit of such a wonderful person.
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