Special Interest
Legislative Council, Tuesday 26 November 2024
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Today, I wish to celebrate the achievements of a remarkable young student from Wynyard High School, Willow Cummins. Willow has achieved an incredible milestone by winning the National Legacy Junior Public Speaking competition held in Ballarat on 18 November. The National Legacy Public Speaking competition is an annual event that aims to promote public speaking skills among young people.
It is organised by Legacy, a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting the families of deceased and incapacitated veterans. The competition provides an opportunity for students to develop their oratory skills, build confidence, and engage with important social and historical topics. Willow is a student from our public education system, having attended Table Cape Primary School before Wynyard High School. She is not only the first Tasmanian public education student to claim this prestigious title, she is the first Tasmanian winner since 2006.
Legislative Council, Tuesday 29 October 2024
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I am delighted to speak today about a high-achieving teacher for my electorate who embodies dedication, innovation, and the true spirit of teaching: Daniel Edwards, the 2024 recipient of the Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools.
Daniel received this award for his transformative approach to teaching science, technology, engineering, and maths, or STEM, and the way in which he fostered engagement and achievement to students of all abilities and backgrounds at none other than Montello Primary School.
Legislative Council, Tuesday 6 August 2024
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - President, it must be the day for speaking about amazing and strong women. I go across the border: the person I am going to speak about directly contacted me. I did not think the leader would be too upset I trespassed across the border.
But, in the short time I have today, I wish to acknowledge and recognise and celebrate the remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication of Elizabeth Beatrice Perkins OAM, also known as Libby, who has been awarded a well deserved and somewhat overdue life membership by the Return Services League [RSL] in Tasmania.
Legislative Council, Tuesday 18 June 2024
Mr President, I know we can be - and are - parochial about our electorates and the people we represent. I hope this presentation might be a little bit of a different tone. I will, therefore, be shamelessly parochial as I inform members of some of the recent achievements of a number of individuals and businesses in Murchison.
On the red meat front, one of the biggest events in Australian red meat industry is Beef Australia, which is held every three years in Rockhampton. This event seeks to promote and advance a sustainable beef industry in a week long exhibition showcasing all facets of the industry. There is the National Beef Carcass Competition, which gives beef producers from around Australia the opportunity to show off their product on the national stage. This year's event was held in May and a number of winners from Tasmania were recognised, including local producers who entered through the Circular Head Show Trade Cattle Competition. They featured in six out of the 12 places in an Australia-wide competition - a wonderful achievement in the pasture fed classes on a national scale.
Legislative Council Tuesday 12 September 2023
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, my office recently received a call from a gentleman who used to teach at Hellyer College in Burnie for a number of years - probably including the time I was there, too. He also fondly remembers the famous green carpet, but the reason for his call was not to talk about the carpet. This was some weeks ago, to bring my attention to an ex-Hellyer College student who grew up in my electorate had just been appointed to serve on the highest court in the land, the High Court of Australia, and has made history by being the first Tasmanian to do so.
I am sure many of the members here would have read about this significant appointment. Robert Beech-Jones, now Justice Robert Beech-Jones, grew up
Legislative Council, Tuesday 5 September 2023
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, layers of history and time come together to form a shared story. Each of our actions and our intentions contribute to this. The more we learn about the places we occupy, the more we remember that we have always known it but had forgotten or else our knowledge has been disconnected. We are here now, we can learn from this place again and leave parts of us behind to fill the empty spaces left by what has been lost. Know where you are, remember what came before. Notice the ground and the skies and the water, pay attention to the stories and find your place here.
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - When I first received a communication from an organisation called Bloodbikes Australia, I wondered what they were and what they did. The Australian Bloodbikes service is a volunteer group of motorcyclists nationwide, with the express purpose of transporting blood and medical supplies to and from areas where they are required, free of charge.
The service was established in 2019 and it already has some 460 volunteers nationwide. It has completed more than 4000 urgent transports since its inception. There are 34 volunteers located here in Tasmania, of which 19 are fully qualified and active within the state and another 15 riders are finalising their training. Within Tasmania, Bloodbikes has provided services to the District Nurses in Hobart and Launceston, the Cancer Council, North West Regional Hospital, Mersey Community Hospital, Deloraine Community Hospital and most recently, Launceston General Hospital, Bicheno and Swansea pharmacies.
Legislative Council, Tuesday 15 November 2022
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President. Most, if not all, members would know that the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) is an integral part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). The CWP works for the better representation of women in legislatures and the furtherance of gender equality across the Commonwealth.
The strategic purpose of CWP is: to increase female representation in parliaments and legislatures in the Commonwealth; provide a means for building the capacity of women elected to parliament to be more effective in their roles; to improve the awareness and ability of all parliamentarians, male and female - encouraging them to include a gender perspective in all aspects of their role - legislation and oversight in representation; and helping parliaments become gender sensitive institutions.
Legislative Council, Tuesday 18 October, 2022
Ms. FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I expect you are of an age where you can remember the attraction of going to the drive-in to watch movies in the car. I am sure you were not one of those who sought to reduce your costs of getting into the drive-in by putting people in the boot of your car, as you had to pay per person in the vehicle. I am sure that was not you. This was not so easily detected, back in the day after you got into the drive-in, as you could get people out of the boot, with the dim lighting and no security cameras. Quite an easy task. This practice, sadly, did come to an end when those manning the ticket office started checking boots of the cars on entry.
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - After a time of heightened anxiety for the arts in and around Burnie, exciting things are now happening at the arts and cultural space in Burnie. As we know, along with the rest of Tasmania, as we re emerge from the pandemic restrictions - a situation which had such a dramatic impact on our artistic and cultural experiences, including local events - things are starting to change.
The Burnie Arts brand has been established to encompass and promote a reinvigorated art scene through a new multi-arts platform, burniearts.net, which is described on its home page as a cultural hub serving Burnie and north-west Tasmania promoting the performing and visual arts as well as the Burnie Regional Museum and events and functions.
Legislative Council, Tuesday 3 May 2022
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I think it is safe to say none of us here has any recollection of our time in utero during our mother's pregnancy or of our own births. The women and some of the men in this Chamber have clear and precious memories with the births of their own children, or even grandchildren if they were privileged enough to share such momentous events, as I have been on both counts. I can say with confidence a midwife is a key part of this memorable and life changing experience. This Thursday 5 May, midwives all across the world will be celebrating International Midwives Day 2022, embracing the theme 100 Years of Progress. This timely celebration will reflect on the progress in midwifery over the past 100 years.
Legislative Council, Tuesday 9 November 2021
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I continue to be amazed by the talents of our local students, and their willingness to extend themselves, often well beyond their comfort zones, to perform on the stage for our enjoyment.
I was again fortunate to attend another wonderful high school musical production. On this occasion, Burnie High School's production of Sleeping Beauty - and who does not love a good fairytale - on Saturday 11 September at the Burnie Arts and Function Centre.
Legislative Council, Tuesday 31 August 2021
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - We hear a lot about placemaking these days, a process centred on the community's assets, focusing on its people and capitalising on their needs and aspirations with the aim of creating public spaces that promote people's health, happiness and wellbeing.
This process relies on strongly on community participation. Waratah-Wynyard Council has been doing some really wonderful work in this space in recent years and residents will be aware of a number of beautification projects taking shape, including improved walking tracks, more public art, beautiful seasonal garden tubs adorning the main street, and a new plaza complete with excellent facilities and beautiful public art in the town centre and almost opposite my office, which is lovely.
Legislative Council Tuesday 23 March, 2021
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, an electorate familiarisation tour provides an opportunity for members to showcase their electorates on a rotational basis as a means of informing other members of some of the industries, businesses, enterprises, opportunities and challenges that form part of that electorate.
The electorate of Murchison is geographically large and diverse, and therefore impossible to cover in a few days. Consequently, King Island, a very important part of my electorate, needed a separate visit, which is important for members to understand.
Legislative Council Tuesday 22 September, 2020
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I wish to pay my respects and acknowledge the passing of Vice Admiral Ian Donald George MacDougall, who passed away at the North West Regional Hospital on 1 July this year aged 82. Ian was a former submariner who rose to high ranks in the Royal Australian Navy and chose to retire to the town of Marrawah in the far north-west of my electorate. This was to be his final resting place.
He was laid to rest beside his wife, former journalist and television presenter, Sonia Humphrey, who died in 2011. It was reported that she laughed when she heard he had already organised burial plots for them
Legislative Council Tuesday 15 September, 2020
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, on 13 May 1885 the very first show was held at the historic Wynyard Showground in Jackson Street. The Wynyard Show continues to be held on the Saturday closest to 15 March each year. This show is one of Tasmania's oldest remaining centenary shows and it still retains its classic country feel, welcoming over 4000 visitors each year.
These are uncertain times for agricultural shows everywhere, but even more uncertain due to COVID-19. Next year's show is scheduled for 13 March 2021 and, all being well, it will be the 133rd show. Incidentally, the 2020 show was the last event I attended before the COVID-19 lockdown and even then it was apparent things were likely to change rapidly.
Legislative Council Wednesday 24 June, 2020
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, in my contribution on Wednesday 3 June I recognised many longstanding businesses in Circular Head and I did not have time to name them all. As is often the case, you miss some because there are so many. I would, therefore, like to expand on the list of long-established small and medium businesses in Circular Head and further acknowledge as many as I can, knowing that I still may miss some. There are so many.
As previously stated, I had intended to make that contribution some time ago and had missed the opportunity, so some of the owners have changed and some businesses have had a name change, even in this time.
Legilative Council Wednesday 3 June, 2020
Mr President, I had intended to make this contribution earlier this year or even late last year but missed the opportunity. Since then, the lives and livelihoods of so many people have been turned upside down, none more so than the many in small-to-medium businesses and those employed in those businesses.
We all know these businesses drive the economy in many regions in Tasmania. They employ people of all ages, often providing the first opportunity for employment of young people in our regions and they boost the local economy in a number of ways. These businesses also often use local suppliers to support their business, adding value and benefit to the whole region.
Tuesday 17 March, 2020
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, late last year, a community-minded and exceptional local football club won the Good Sports Club of the Year for 2019. The Redpa Football Club from far north-west Tasmania in my electorate of Murchison was crowned Good Sports Club of the Year. The club received this award for inspiring positive change and building a healthy family-friendly club. They received $1000 to mark their achievement.
To receive this honour, clubs have to demonstrate their commitment to building healthy and inclusive environments, where members look to work for each other in the areas of alcohol and tobacco management, safe transportation, healthy eating, mental health and positive spectator behaviour.
Legislative Council Tuesday 19 November, 2019
Ms FORREST (Murchison) Mr President, Live Well Tasmania is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Wynyard. Its mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of our community with a focus on disadvantaged youth. It uses a whole-of-community wellbeing approach.
It provides programs, projects, workshops and events in the community hub located in central Wynyard, just around the corner from my office. As noted on its website, Live Well Tasmania's vision statement is contributing to a world where everyone can achieve wellbeing. Its mission is helping youth in poverty achieve wellbeing. Its strategy is 'using research, evidence-based activities, collective impact (using partnerships to achieve joint goals) and the power of community'.
SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 15 October, 2019
Ms FORREST - Mr President, I was caught up in a demonstration outside Parliament House this morning when I was already running late after having some medical assessments and then having my driveway blocked by a builder from next door. Feeling somewhat frustrated I got caught up in the protest outside, which denied my access to the building, which we know is actually illegal. It was interesting because it gave me the opportunity to speak about what I am speaking about now, with the protesters there and the media in attendance. I will continue my presentation on the basis that I have already talked a bit about it.