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Ms DAWN FARDELL (Dubbo) [6.12 p.m.]: On 13 September Dubbo's Shoeyen Gardens hosted Respect for the Aged Day, an event to which Dubbo's senior citizens were invited. The event was organised by the Friends of the Garden, headed by Brian Smith and his committee, together with Jane Bleechmore, Kerry Palmer and other Dubbo City Council staff who put together a wonderful program of entertainment in a magnificent setting. The gardens, which were officially opened four years ago, were donated by Minokomo, Dubbo City Council's sister city.
The forming of a wonderful friendship with Minokomo sowed the seeds of the offer of a traditional Japanese garden. Minokomo high school students designed the gardens and carried out the landscaping work. Many construction items were freighted from Japan to Dubbo, which took a long time. An authentic Japanese garden is now located in Orana Mall behind Big W in east Dubbo. The gardens are open every day from 10 o'clock to 4 o'clock and are staffed by wonderful volunteers. Under the guidance of Minokomo and Ken Rogers, Dubbo City Council's Director of Parks and Landcare Services, we now have a wonderful venue for the entire community to enjoy.
Shoeyen Gardens have become a haven in which to celebrate many festivals, and the gardens are the venue for weddings and tourists. Last week bush poet Ellis Campbell and a combined school choir entertained the seniors. I wish to read a poem that was written by Ellis Campbell, poet laureate in the area, which drew much laughter from all in attendance. His poem was placed second at the Wollondilly Fellowship of Australian Writers in Picton in 2001. I apologise to Ellis Campbell, who is renowned for his bush poetry, if I do not read the poem as well as he did. The poem, entitled A Matter of Interpretation, reads as follows:
A motley congregation lounged around the hotel bar,
smoke drifted from their cigarettes and someone's rank cigar.
Desultory conversation ebbed, for all seemed bored to death.
A teller from the local bank complained with wheezy breath.
"I'm on an R.D.O. today—as well I ought to be.
I've been flat out with M.B.O. and learning C.A.D.
I've been in charge of A.D.F—and also F.I.D.
An A.T.M.'s essential now—we're in the C.B.D."
A medico from uni said, "You hear of N.E.C.
and M.N.D. and R.S.I. and raging A.R.V.
So much to learn with I.V.F. and also P.I.D.;
and no one really understands the threat of H.I.V."
The fat policeman said, "We're busy holding R.B.T—
then charging them with P.C.A. and checking B.A.C.
The kids go mad on B.M.X. and now there's D.N.A.
I'm growing very weary and I need a holiday."
The politician grasped his chance and said, "This F.A.S.
was introduced by Labor—little wonder it's a mess.
We'll wipe it out—and F.B.T—we've had a D & M;
I'll guarantee this G.S.T. will prove a master's gem.
"Excuse me," said the shearer, "if I look a sorry mess—
I've been a bloody fortnight on the P.I. double S.
I only came to town to watch the S. of bloody O;
on T.V. at the bottom pub—and that's two weeks ago.
"I had a small investment on the footie T.A.B.
and backed the N.S.W. team against the Q.L.D.
I'm verging on the D.T.s now—it's been a hectic spree—
if I don't quit one day you'll read, 'Jack Hobson, R.I.P."
After Ellis Campbell read his poem about 40 primary schoolchildren from all the public and private schools in Dubbo sang for the seniors and their song, "We Are One But We Are Many", was well received. Those schoolchildren sang together regardless of their religion or the debate concerning the funding of private or public schools. The Friends of the Garden provided morning tea for all, which was served by high school students. There was wonderful interaction between seniors and young people. My thanks go to the Friends of the Garden, to Dubbo City Council staff, to the choir and, in particular, to the high school students who served the refreshments.
I also acknowledge the Dubbo sister-city relationship. I was once the chair of the Dubbo City Council committee and I acknowledge our wonderful sister-city relationship with Minokomo. Every year students from Minokomo come to us and we are now looking at sending our students to Minokomo. Nursing students from Minokomo attend Charles Sturt University campuses at Bathurst and Dubbo. Dr Yamado, who owns four hospitals in Minokomo, says he has all the equipment in the world but he prefers to bring his nursing students to Dubbo because he believes that Australian nurses nurse with heart. I acknowledge the work done by the late Tony McGrane, who passed away two years ago on 15 September. Without his initial groundwork and his visits to Minokomo, our sister-city relationship would not have been possible.