Special Interest

Published: 20 December 2019

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'.

Published: 22 October 2019

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. 

Published: 21 October 2019

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 17 September, 2019

Ms FORREST  - Mr President, recently I visited Epiroc's Tasmanian operations in Camdale near Burnie.  Epiroc is an international company based in Stockholm, Sweden, with its Australian headquarters in Perth, Western Australia.  It is an industrial company created in 2018 when it was split off from Atlas Copco, a company founded in 1873 in Stockholm.  The company makes mining and infrastructure with manufacturing plants all around the world, including Sweden, the United States, Canada, China and India.

Published: 01 May 2019

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 9 April, 2019

Ms FORREST - Mr President, I recently attended a reception to celebrate the return of some historic items to Queenstown, including a beautiful necklace previously owned by Marion Sticht, the wife of Robert Sticht, a former mine manager for Mount Lyell mine.  Robert Carl Sticht worked for the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company, initially as a metallurgist and later as a manager, from 1895 to 1921.

Marion Oak Staige and Robert were both born in the United States and left for their new home of Queenstown, Tasmania shortly after marrying in 1895.  Marion and Robert Sticht were important figures and community leaders in Queenstown. 

Published: 11 April 2019

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 2 April, 2019

Mr President, in Tasmania we have just enjoyed Ten Days on the Island.  This year's event was held over three weekends, with four days in the north-west, three in the north and three in the south, with some installations extended across that period.

I acknowledge the fantastic work of CEO Jane Haley, Creative Producer Vernon Guest, and Artistic Director Lindy Hume, who were supported by the board under chair Saul Eslake.

In five minutes I cannot possibly do justice to the amazing program so I will mention a few events from each region.  I hope all members took the opportunity to attend some of the events of Ten Days.  The events were structured to maximise on other events in the state and international events, including International Women's Day.

Published: 27 November 2018

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 20 November, 2018

Ms  FORREST  (Murchison) - Mr President, the Wynyard Tulip Festival is held annually to celebrate spring, and the amazing colour of our Wynyard landscape continues to go from strength to strength.  This bold display of colour is the highlight for people travelling to and from Wynyard airport as they fly over Table Cape and see the amazing display from the air.  The success and growth of this festival is in no small part pretty much down to one person - Chantelle French, the Community and Events Officer at Waratah-Wynyard Council.

Published: 08 November 2018

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 18 September, 2018

Ms FORREST - Mr President, my electorate certainly has some very good sportspeople and I am going to speak about another one now.

Honourable members might recall me speaking about the world-class and internationally recognised Wynyard Yacht Club in the past, noting the amazing achievements of the club and some of the individuals involved in the club.  Today I particularly note the incredible achievements of Chris Symonds and his coach and sailing partner, Mike Darby.  For those who do not know, Chris has serious mobility challenges due to advancing motor neurone disease and relies on a mobility scooter to get around.

Published: 21 September 2018

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 18 September, 2018

Ms FORREST  (Murchison) - Mr President, the mission of Big hART as stated on its website is -

'It's harder to hurt someone if you know their story.'  Our work sheds light on invisible stories, bringing hidden injustice into the mainstream.  These stories make it harder to hurt someone - on an individual, community and policy level.  Our work demands best practice, and we strive for generational change.

Published: 31 August 2018

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 28 August, 2018

Ms  FORREST  (Murchison) - Mr President, it is with great excitement I speak about The 2018 Unconformity.  Members will recall me speaking about this amazing arts and heritage festival that is held every two years in Queenstown on our beautiful west coast.  The Unconformity is a contemporary arts festival exploring the paradoxes of Queenstown, a small mining community in the electorate of Murchison on our wild and mountainous west coast.

Published: 28 August 2018

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 21 August 2018

Ms FORRESTNext (Murchison) - Mr President, I speak today about a festival based on the north of the state, in Launceston.  I encourage all members to come and experience what I know will be a great event, from 5 to 9 September 2018.  I declare an interest in this festival, being a member of the board of Junction.

To give a little of Junction's history, the Junction Arts Festival was first presented as a one‑off event annexed to the 2010 Regional Arts Australia National Conference - Junction 2010 - which was hosted and organised by the Tasmanian Regional Arts in Launceston.

Published: 11 July 2018

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 19 June, 2018

Ms  FORREST  (Murchison) - Mr President, an abundance of research highlights the importance of play in children's development and learning across all cultures, particularly in the years from birth to eight years.  Many experts in the area believe it is impossible to disentangle children's play, their learning and their development.  Of course, play does not happen in a vacuum.  It is usually undertaken within a physical and social space and after the age of four to five, much of this play occurs within the school environment.

Published: 19 June 2018

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 12 June 2018

Ms  FORREST  (Murchison) - Mr President, I recently attended one of my favourite pastimes, a musical production at a high school in my electorate.  This time it was Marist Regional College's production of High School Musical.

All involved in this great production did an incredible job.  The energy was palpable and the opening night went off without a hitch.  I thoroughly commend all who took part in this production, including the almost 90 students involved as actors, musicians and backstage and front of house staff.  They have been working on this show for eight months, with rehearsals three times a week until more recently, when they had rehearsals every second day in their own time.

Published: 28 May 2018

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 22 May 2018

Ms FORREST  (Murchison) - Mr President, I believe lifelong learning and personal and professional development are important in all professions and workplaces.  We all come to parliament with our own life experience, background and knowledge from prior professions and community involvement.  None of us comes with a complete set of skills and knowledge of all the areas we are called on to consider in our roles here. 

Published: 19 December 2017

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 28 November 2017

Ms  FORREST (Murchison ) - Mr President, on 17 November the Governor, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner presented the 2018 Tasmanian Australian of the Year Award to an amazing north-west coaster, Scott Rankin.  Scott and his family live in Boat Harbour.  I am proud to have a man of such vision, compassion, talent and respect for others living in my electorate. 

Published: 20 November 2017

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 14 November 2017

Ms FORREST (Murchison ) - Mr President, I recently attended the dedication opening of the Mount Lyell Disaster Memorial Park.  The sculpture is a work of art and a credit to all involved, as well as being an appropriate memorial of a truly tragic event.  The memorial provides a place for reflection and remembrance.  The Mount Lyell disaster of 1912 was caused by an underground fire where smoke and lack of oxygen killed 42 men.

Published: 20 October 2017

 

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS Tuesday 17 October,02017

Ms FORREST (Murchison ) - The Balfour Correspondent is a beautiful book that takes us back to a time when Balfour was a busy mining town in the early 1900s.  I have a copy of the book here if anyone would like to look at it. 

Published: 11 April 2017

Published: 04 April 2017

Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council are committed to the safety and health of their workforce.

The Blueprint has been developed to guide industry response to addressing mental health and provides a framework to promote well-being.

Published: 27 October 2016

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS   Tuesday 18 October, 2016

 Mr President, those who are friends of mine on Facebook would know last Friday to Sunday I attended an outstanding festival - The Unconformity in Queenstown.  Honourable members will also recall I spoke about this festival a few weeks ago, encouraging others to go.  Those who did not missed out on a world‑class event with world‑class entertainment.

Published: 18 October 2016

During 14 - 16 of October, Queenstown was transformed into a vibrant, creative hub. The Unconformity festival celebrated the diversity and beauty of the region and wrapped its audience in the magic.

Ruth Forrest MLC and Craig Farrell MLC share their praise and experiences with you.

Published: 20 September 2016

  1. The Unconformity. No ordinary place. No ordinary festival.
  2. Twenty young women engaged with Project O
  3. Rosebery Community House Community Keepsake
  4. Along the Terrace: The Owners and Occupiers of Stanley 1843-1922
  5. Landscape Art Research Queenstown - Raymond Arnold
  6. Ministerial Council on Forestry - Establishment
  7. Cancer Awareness and Dry July
  8. University of the Third Age
  9. Stanley and Bicheno
  10. Wynyard Yacht Club