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2348 Adjournment 31 Oct 2012 chosen, with each building showcasing the special features of the early era of construction in Maryborough, generally around the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Many of the buildings featured beautifully crafted timberwork. The buildings open for inspection included St Paul’s Anglican Church and hall, Bells Vue Private Hotel, Bond Store, Brennan and Geraghty’s Shop and Cottage, the Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum, City Hall, Maryborough Court House, Customs House, the old Hyne Sawmill, the Maryborough Hospital Museum in the Doctor’s House on the hospital grounds, the Engineers Arms, the Globe, the School of Arts and St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. The really rare treat was the opening of five private residences showcasing some of Maryborough’s grand old homes. It amazes me that these owners were brave enough to put their private space on public view but, more than that, to share so much of the history of their homes with those who came to see. I had the privilege of being one of the volunteer guides at a beautifully restored private residence. It was a wonderful experience to watch the faces of the visitors, to see their awe and wonder at the lovely home and hear them express their appreciation at the rare privilege of being able to see inside such an historic home. The event was well attended, with 1,300 visitors at one home, 700-plus visitors at other venues and a reported 9,000 visits between the 20 different venues. Thanks must go to the members of the open-house committee made up of Fraser Coast Regional Council staff, a representative of the National Trust, local community members and some specialist assistance from historian and architect Mr Don Watson. Many Maryborough residents volunteered hours of time to act as tour guides. Of course, a very big vote of thanks must go to the owners of the buildings, who spent considerable time filling out paperwork, putting together details for the flyers produced for each property and then getting their properties ready for the influx and supervising their part of the event for the day. This was a truly wonderful event which allowed many to appreciate the wonderful history of Maryborough, and I am sure there will be another event next year. Woodridge State High School Mrs SCOTT (Woodridge—ALP) (12.23 am): Woodridge State High School recently held a celebration to commemorate 40 years of education, with members of the large, enthusiastic school community, past students, teachers and one of our earlier school principals, Mr Les O’Gorman, attending. The setting was the school oval with a stage, lighting and a large dance floor. We came with blankets and deckchairs, and the smell of hot food enticed us all to enjoy an outdoor meal. For four hours we enjoyed a feast of music and dance from our present students as well as many memorable acts from years past. Woodridge High is a veritable United Nations with students from many different lands, many from refugee backgrounds, such as from African nations, Burma, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, India and many Pacific Island nations as well as New Zealand. We enjoyed such acts as the Burundian drummers, Bollywood dancers, African dancing, Cook Island dancers, rap and hip-hop, the haka from a New Zealand group, a cheerleading team, various bands and vocal groups, including a great band formed from the present staff under the direction of Mr Dave Stuart, head of the fantastic music department. There was also a dance group of Pacific Islanders who are now students at Logan Campus of Griffith University and even a tasteful burlesque dance number. We enjoyed hearing the delightful voice, once again, of Mina Aiolupo with her instrumental and vocal group. Mina became the face of Creative Generation a number of years ago when she featured on the poster leading up to the event. The quality of performance right throughout the afternoon and evening was simply superb. The younger children danced along in front of the stage and enjoyed taking part in a Gangnam Style dance competition. As the evening drew near to the end of what was an absolute feast of talent, a huge welcome back was given to Junior Finau and his group, as they brought many in the crowd to their feet to dance and enjoy their great music. As the night built to a climax, having enjoyed solos, duets and larger groups bringing us great acts including rap, hip-hop, reggae, blues, pop and gospel, the air suddenly became electric and the crowd surged forward to surround the dance floor—enter AOB, Academy of Brothers, although I did notice quite a few girls in the group. AOB comprised students from Woodridge High and many other high schools. They had won the Australian hip-hop title for 2012. They then travelled to the USA, where they placed eighth out of 25 international groups. I have to say that during their long, intricate routine their bodies performed feats that I thought no human body could accomplish. The group numbered about 30 or so and kept the large crowd completely spellbound. Go Woodridge High! (Time expired)
31 Oct 2012 Adjournment 2349 School Chaplains Ms MILLARD (Sandgate—LNP) (12.26 am): It is great to finally have this adjournment debate to be able to talk about this topic, which is chaplaincy. I rise today to speak in support of Queensland’s chaplains and the National School Chaplaincy Program. In recent weeks I attended the 10th anniversary of chaplaincy at the Bracken Ridge State High School, the first in my electorate to take on a school chaplain. Now there are six chaplains in my electorate servicing eight schools—almost every state school in my electorate. This demonstrates strong support, even by Queensland standards, with chaplains in around 50 per cent of our schools. I commend Premier Campbell Newman for being one of the first to speak out in support of chaplains following the recent High Court challenge, and for committing funding of $1 million over four years to provide better access to chaplaincy in our schools. Chaplaincy is one of those rare initiatives that has long had bipartisan support, and I believe that this is a source of national pride. Former Prime Minister John Howard initiated the National School Chaplaincy Program in 2007 and now there are over 500 chaplains in over 600 schools in Queensland. Their job is not to convert—though many come from a faith based background—but to guide, be a role model and provide emotional, ethical and practical support services for students. This ranges from listening, to helping on school camps, to running breakfast clubs. They do not wear the badge of counsellor but, as explained by Scripture Union Queensland CEO Peter James, they are trained youth workers who refer when they need to and are there for everyone, from kids with serious emotional needs to kids with everyday problems. At the community level, I hear few voices of dissent regarding the value of chaplains. As one commentator in my local newspaper said— Sometimes life is hard. With today’s rates of bullying, broken homes and mental illness, wouldn’t you think that having an adult to confide in at school is a good thing? At school the kids all love our Chappy and the safe space she offers. On a personal level, I was talking to a chaplain recently and this is what this chaplain said— I am too busy every day to actually worry about what people who don’t support chaplaincy say. It’s always wonderful to get encouragement, but ultimately it’s about the kids. I’m in it for them, supporting them when they are facing tough times, be that a parental break up, death in the family, or friendship issues. I have seen the impact one kind gesture makes for a child who would otherwise feel isolated and awkward. I have seen in my role, that this simple act of listening, hearing someone out, empowers them. So, fellow MPs, are we listening? Because if that is what it is all about then our young ones are in good hands. I commend all members here today to stay on course in sending a political message that we continue to value the input of chaplains in our schools and communities. Let’s stay on course in supporting fundraising efforts and the best legislative environment possible so that they can do what they do best: improve the lives of future generations. Women Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (12.29 am): The Commonwealth parliamentary women’s association has a number of agenda items but in particular three action agenda items: universal chlamydia screening; to address the sexualisation of minors and children in the media; and digital enhancement of images in print and electronic media. In particular, we have been concerned recently about the sexualisation of minors and children, particularly portrayed through the media. The Queen Victoria Women’s Centre is concerned about damaging media portrayals of women and girls including gender stereotypes; unhealthy and unrealistic portrayals of ‘body and beauty’ ideals; misrepresentation of body image through digital image manipulation; and sexualisation and objectification of women, especially young women and girls. SeeMe was set up by a group of students. The SeeMe evaluation concludes— Building young people’s media literacy skills is crucial as they construct a sense of self within a social environment that is characterised by pervasive and unrealistic media messages delivered in a multiplicity of forms. The SeeMe Evaluation has demonstrated the effectiveness of programs such as SeeMe in encouraging young people to critically analyse and deconstruct media images such that they can cultivate more realistic appraisals of their own bodies and thus resilience against the undermining influence of the media. On a day-to-day basis, even when watching our local TV, you can see how unrealistic some of the images of women are. In my electorate there are a number of ads for make-up, and when you look closely at the young people in the ads who are portrayed to be mature adults they would be lucky if they were 12. It is obvious when you look at their skin that they have not reached puberty. They do not have any problem with the reaction girls face when they become teenagers. Their physical size is very, very small—unattainable, particularly for a woman who has had a couple of kids. This is the sort of information that young people are constantly being fed. Unless they are taught to view these images on the TV very critically they will absorb the information as if it is fact.
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