PARLIAMENT OF TASMANIA LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REPORT OF DEBATES Tuesday 27 October 2020 REVISED EDITION Tuesday 27 October 2020 The President, Mr Farrell, took the Chair at 9 a.m., acknowledged the Traditional People and read Prayers. PETITION Nonconforming Petition - White Beach Development Ms Rattray (by leave) presented a petition not conforming with Standing Orders signed by 97 citizens who call on the state Government to intervene to prevent the proposed development at White Beach, Flinders Island as it is more than double the usual height limit, is totally out of character with existing residences and destroys the balance between the natural and built environment. Petition received. SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tenth Anniversary of Tim Blair Run for Kids [9.06 a.m.] Mr GAFFNEY (Mersey) - Mr President, I rise today to recognise the amazing achievements of one of the Mersey electorate's finest, Mr Tim Blair. Tim has selflessly worked to raise funds for local children in need, to encourage children to help others by participating in and promoting health and wellbeing events, and to increase community capital by engaging members of the community as volunteers to organise and assist with the events. First, a little bit about Tim's history and how the Tim Blair Run for Kid's Foundation came to be. The foundation traces its origins back to 1994, when after a diagnosis of epilepsy Tim began running to become fitter and healthier. As with so many others, his love for running grew and he began to run in fun runs and other events aimed to raise money for charities. In 2000, Tim was invited to run with friends from Deloraine to Forth - a distance of about 72 kilometres - to raise money for Giant Steps, a local organisation that caters for children with autism. For Tim this was a profound and life-changing experience, allowing him to turn his love for running into something else that also benefited others. Over the years, Tim's dedication to kids in need was realised in the rising number of fundraising events he participated in and the evolution of the foundation. He has continued to run and cycle and he has participated in many marathons, but he has had to fight his own significant health battles along the way. Incredibly, after a diagnosis of a degenerative nerve condition and later stress factors among many issues, Tim managed to bounce back a number of times and he is still going 26 years after he started his first running phase. In November 2013, Tim ran from Devonport to Burnie and back, a distance of 120 kilometres to raise funds for a young boy suffering from cancer, who tragically had also lost his father to cancer. The run also raised funds for local cancer wards in Tasmanian hospitals. It was the first time Tim and his running partner had run a distance of over Tuesday 27 October 2020 1 100 kilometres. The event was also the first official fundraising event for the Tim Blair Run for Kids Foundation. Tim and his running partner, Shane, later ran 85 kilometres through 23 schools from Penguin to Port Sorell, raising money for a young boy with extremely rare brain tumours. In the process, they set out about encouraging kids and families to step outside their comfort zones and challenge everyone to find ways to make a positive impact on other's lives. Encouraging children to be their best is something Tim is very passionate about. He worked closely with the Kids' Cancer Project and the Department of Education Tasmania on a program called Project Kids aligned with the national curriculum and launched into Tasmanian schools in 2016. The program was designed to encourage children to contribute in a positive manner and that no positive contribution is measured. Another of Tim's noteworthy efforts, and there are many, was a 2016 run in Nepal where he ran 220 kilometres over three days. Tim ran from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The idea was to raise awareness of Nepal as a tourist destination again, and of course raise money for childhood cancer and children's education in Nepal. In September this year, somewhat closer to home, Tim recreated a run from Burnie High School to Nixon Street Primary School, that he completed 10 years ago. In 2010 he was joined by Miss Phoebe Berwick who completed a lap of the oval with him as she was fighting childhood cancer. I am thrilled to advise that Phoebe remains involved with the Tim Blair Foundation and is now studying to be a teacher. Phoebe's reflections of Tim were glowing. She said - He has done so much for so many different children, including myself. He is so humble as well. He is so inspiring to so many others. It will be a full circle, celebrating 10 years. Mr President, I could not agree more. To date, along with the help of the community, the Tim Blair Run for Kids events have raised in excess of $450 000 for sick children and childhood cancer research. Tim Blair is a wonderful asset to the Mersey electorate and the wider community. I commend him for his commitment to helping others. Congratulations and well done, Tim. Members - Hear, hear. Warrane Mornington Neighbourhood Centre [9.11 a.m.] Ms SIEJKA (Pembroke) - Mr President, in the middle of suburban Warrane a delightful project is underway. The vision is to create an inclusive, productive, creative and community-centred garden space for residents - and the Warrane Mornington Neighbourhood Centre, together with their many volunteers, is well on the way to achieving this. All of us will be very aware of the good work of Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania across the state and be familiar with our own local Neighbourhood Houses. One of the strengths of Tuesday 27 October 2020 2 each house is that they each have their own tailored approach to responding to the needs of their community and to improving the lives of those they engage with. Every house has a significant impact on the community, all done with tight budgets, dedicated staff and the goodwill of supporters and volunteers. My neighbourhood house is the Warrane Mornington Neighbourhood Centre. Ably run by Leanne Doherty and supported by staff members Kerryn James, Doreen Read and Leah Brightman, the house provides a range of activities, program support and assistance to empower and assist community members. One of their most ambitious undertakings has been to create a community garden. Right in the heart of Warrane a vacant block of land is being transformed. This land is developing into a wonderful open community space guided by landscape, architectural plans, and the work of many hands. The focus has consistently been on the engagement with the community, and this could be seen from the very first steps the Neighbourhood House has taken with a committee that included local stakeholders. The garden's humble beginning began in April last year when members of the Tasmania Prison Service Reintegration Program helped recycle eight garden beds from the Neighbourhood House across to the garden and filled them with gravel and soil. Two weeks later, the homework group planted the first two beds and the garden was off and running. Community ownership of the garden is obvious, with many local businesses and organisations and volunteers from all walks of life contributing to the maintenance and development of the space. Currently a garden team, consisting of 10 local community members of varying ages and levels of gardening experience and all with an abundance of enthusiasm, work on the garden. Marie, Katie, Lily, Deborah, Sam, Emily, Ailsa, Jo and Anna make up the core of the team. They meet regularly to plan for the garden, which includes feedback from individuals and groups across the community. Supporting the team are even more dedicated volunteers: Romina, Carolyn, Joy, John, Esperance, Sarah, Carol, Ron, Cecily, Ange and Averi. Their work and that of the centre has considerable community support seen through their many partnerships, which include local groups such as the Howrah Men's Shed, which has built celery top pine garden seating, verandahs, and plaques for the plants; cafes, such as Moto Vecchia, which has provided support and goods on community open days, as has the Howrah Garden Centre; the Australian Plant Society; Cambridge Road Play and Learn Centre, which has provided regular manpower; contributions from local Rotary and Lions, the local newsagency, pharmacy, hardware shop, supermarkets and Eat Well Tasmania. TasTAFE and UTAS have provided training and education, and the Clarence City Council has played a key role throughout. The Tasmania Prison Service Reintegration Program has also continued to be involved. Funding has also been sought and successfully gained for more beds and fencing and to build accessible pathways and a bathroom. Efforts have been made to make the space as creative and innovative as possible with an inclusive mosaic tree stump artwork to enhance the space. Tuesday 27 October 2020 3 One of the initiatives of the garden has been the opportunity to sponsor a tree. Many of these were donated as memorials and reminders of special people. Others have been donated by people like myself. Such was the success of the initiative that the garden now boasts an orchard with 37 fruit trees. After a very short time the garden is already providing a huge range of fresh produce as well as communal seating and spaces to play. The garden team and volunteers have heard many stories of how the garden already has a positive impact on people's wellbeing. The success of the garden can be seen in the huge turnout for open days.