Mike Baird | Member for Manly - Tuesday 23 December 2008

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Tuesday 23 December 2008

It is hard to believe that 2008 is in its closing stages but then again I am sure you feel like me and look forward to a few days off to recover from the year that was! I have read a few blogs on the year end and not surprisingly a constant theme is one hoping it can only be better in 2009. I am not going to speculate on what 2009 will look like but the facts are that anyone talking about a good time to buy, or talk of 'we are at the bottom', are likely one of life's only remaining optimists.

Still despite the difficulty the now funkily termed GFC* or indeed the State Labor Government have caused there are a couple of highlights I want to leave you with that I saw down here in Manly. The first funnily enough relates to Reba Meagher's last hour as Minister.

All of us in Manly have a soft spot for Bear Cottage and thus it was with some amazement that I learnt a NSW Health Minister had never visited the site let alone provided funds for this support of families with terminally ill kids. So the strategy was simple - if we got Reba to Bear Cottage she would herself be transfixed by the magic ...

In the interest of speed I am happy to report that not only did she visit but in that last hour as Health Minister she provided $1 million to this incredible place. This is a good start and plenty more is required however, for someone who has been under such public attack - my words to Reba from the families and staff of Bear Cottage are thank you for this parting gesture.

The second highlight happened only last week and that was at the Year 6 leaving ceremony for Manly Vale Public School (MVPS). I have to say that all of the year-end school assemblies touch me in some way and they are often a reminder of all that is good in the community and even humanity as a whole. In any case the MVPS model is to have every Year 6 student tell their parents at the ceremony what they mean to them and how much they have appreciated their support during primary school.

Well when the first young man got up to share his wonderful tribute to his parents that was the end of me and it continued for the next 26 students!! I was more emotional than I had been since I had been coerced into seeing The Bridges Over Madison County by my wife...

Still it was a wonderful moment, a reflection of all the support they had received from teachers, the broad school community and their parents. It struck me that moments like these stay with us forever and are formative in who these children become. I was very proud of them, the teachers and the parents... and will do all I can to get the Education Minister to come along to see the event next year.

There were many other highlights, however achievements such as securing a new fast ferry service after the Government axed the JetCats should only be celebrated when we see the first vessel pull up to the wharf.

So without further adieu I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and trust that you have a chance to reflect on the meaning of the Season together with the moments that positively helped shaped your 2008.

See you in 2009!

Cheers

Mike

*(for those not in the know) Global Financial Crisis

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Comments (4)

The Year That Was,,,,,,,,,

Hi Mike and a very merry christmas to you and your family, This year has surely thrown us some curve balls. lets hope next year is better, From Debra Arena.

Posted by: Debra Arena at 23-12-2008 22:27

The Year That Was,,,,,,,,,

Congradulations Mike on your step up in the party to Treasurer, one step away from the top. This is wonderful news, to have someone as honest and straight down the line as you moving in the right direction, UP, is what we all need. I am behind you all the way. Debra Arena.

Posted by: Debra Arena at 01-01-2009 19:23

Spit Bridge

Congratulations on your new appointment
I was wondering what if anything is being done for the people that have to use the Spit Bridge on a daily basis.Is there any way the no of openings of the bridge can be reduced? I would aloong with many residents would like to see no right hand turns right up to Military Rd.at lwast this would help a little,but nothing seems to be done

Posted by: Sue Hart at 08-01-2009 17:35

Employee entitlements not being paid by

Mike, unpaid overtime is being worked by some administrators operating under STC and ARAI.
What are YOU going to do about this ongoing systematic and daily unpaid work occuring? DO you care about the employees who work for super fund administrators that operate under NSW State Govt legislation?

Posted by: Michael at 26-02-2009 20:48

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