Commonwealth Day 2012 Celebrations

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

Commonwealth Day was celebrated at the Norfolk Island Central School last Wednesday the 14^th March 2012 when Deputy Speaker Snell addressed students about Commonwealth Day and Ms Sophie Donohoe, Spokesman for the Youth Assembly, read Her Majesty’s Message.

 

The Commonwealth Day Message 2012 from Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth

One of the great benefits of today’s technology-based world is the range of opportunities it offers to understand and appreciate how others live: we can see, hear, and enter into the experience of people in communities and circumstances far removed from our own.

A remarkable insight we gain from such windows on the world is that, however different outward appearances may be, we share a great deal in common. Our circumstances and surroundings may vary enormously, for example in the food we eat and the clothes we wear, but we share one humanity, and this draws us all together. The joys of celebration and sympathy of sadness may be expressed differently but they are felt in the same way the world over.

How we express our identities reveals both a rich diversity and many common threads. Through the creative genius of artists – whether they be writers, actors, film-makers, dancers, or musicians – we can see both the range of our cultures and the elements of our shared humanity.

‘Connecting Cultures’, our Commonwealth theme this year, encourages us to consider the special opportunities we have, as members of this unique gathering of nations, to celebrate an extraordinary cultural tapestry that reflects our many individual and collective identities. The Commonwealth treasures and respects this wealth of diversity. Connecting cultures is more, however, than observing others and the ways in which they express themselves. This year, our Commonwealth focus seeks to explore how we can share and strengthen the bond of Commonwealth citizenship we already enjoy by using our cultural connections to help bring us even closer together, as family and friends across the globe.

To support this theme, a special song has been composed for the Commonwealth, Stronger as One. There are any number of ways in which that single piece of music alone can be played or sung anywhere in the Commonwealth. And by sharing the same music with our own personal interpretations and contributions, the wonderful human attribute of imagination is nourished, and we gain insights of understanding and appreciation of others. The Commonwealth offers a pathway for this greater understanding and the opportunity to expand upon our shared experiences in a wider world. A world in which paths to mutual respect and common cause may also be explored and which can draw us together, stronger and better than before.

Elizabeth R.

Norfolk’s attendees at Commonwealth Day at the Palace of Westminster in London, Tim Gatehouse, Tennille Christian and Leah Christian thoroughly enjoyed their experience and in due course we will publish extracts from their reports on the activities they attended.  The photographs below were taken as they received their Participants attendance certificates from Dr William Shija, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

 

 

They met with Kirsty Renshaw and Abby Dixon, participants from the Isle of Man, thereby strengthening our common ties of family and culture. As well as acknowledging our desire to develop and strengthen friendly relations and promoting interest in the fields of heritage, culture, research, education and media communications.

  

 

To read the Notice Paper, Programme, Minutes of Proceedings and legislation tabled in the House go to www.info.gov.nf. Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 16 March 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com

The Commonwealth Day Message 2012 from Her Majesty The Queen

The Commonwealth Day Message 2012

from Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth

One of the great benefits of today’s technology-based world is the range of opportunities it offers to understand and appreciate how others live: we can see, hear, and enter into the experience of people in communities and circumstances far removed from our own. A remarkable insight we gain from such windows on the world is that, however different outward appearances may be, we share a great deal in common. Our circumstances and surroundings may vary enormously, for example in the food we eat and the clothes we wear, but we share one humanity, and this draws us all together. The joys of celebration and sympathy of sadness may be expressed differently but they are felt in the same way the world over. How we express our identities reveals both a rich diversity and many common threads. Through the creative genius of artists – whether they be writers, actors, film-makers, dancers, or musicians – we can see both the range of our cultures and the elements of our shared humanity.

‘Connecting Cultures’, our Commonwealth theme this year, encourages us to consider the special opportunities we have, as members of this unique gathering of nations, to celebrate an extraordinary cultural tapestry that reflects our many individual and collective identities. The Commonwealth treasures and respects this wealth of diversity.

Connecting cultures is more, however, than observing others and the ways in which they express themselves. This year, our Commonwealth focus seeks to explore how we can share and strengthen the bond of Commonwealth citizenship we already enjoy by using our cultural connections to help bring us even closer together, as family and friends across the globe. To support this theme, a special song has been composed for the Commonwealth, Stronger as One. There are any number of ways in which that single piece of music alone can be played or sung anywhere in the Commonwealth. And by sharing the same music with our own personal interpretations and contributions, the wonderful human attribute of imagination is nourished, and we gain insights of understanding and appreciation of others.

The Commonwealth offers a pathway for this greater understanding and the opportunity to expand upon our shared experiences in a wider world. A world in which paths to mutual respect and common cause may also be explored and which can draw us together, stronger and better than before.

Elizabeth R.

March sitting of the Legislative Assembly 2012

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

The House met on Wednesday 7 March 2012 at 10 am and concluded at 2.25 pm. The House rose for a period of silence to acknowledge the passing of Richard Clarence Hamilton-Irvine and Penelope June Eggins.

Petitions

Mr Sheridan presented a Petition from 236 residents of Norfolk Island.  The Petition read:  “We the undersigned being residents of Norfolk Island HEREBY seek that you as the Minister responsible for Health matters on Norfolk Island, take all necessary steps and seek all possible means to retain and engage the professional services of Dr Mark Szolkowski for the benefit of the community of Norfolk Island as the Community is in urgent need for the provision of the professional services and expertise held by Dr Mark Szolkowski in the fields of: Psychiatry, Emergency medicine, General Practice and Rural and Remote Medicine”.

Answers were provided both to questions without notice and on notice.

The following papers were tabled:

1)    Mr Sheridan – Petition (see above)

2)    Mr Buffett – Outstanding Road Map Initiatives

3)    Mr Buffett - Statement of Reasons why the 2010/2011 Financial Statements have not been given to the Auditor General within 5 Months after the end of the Financial Year

4)    Mr King – Papers in adjournment debate from which he had quoted in Questions without notice

Statements were made by -

The Chief Minister, Mr Buffett –

a)         on Reasons why the 2010/2011 Financial Statements have not been given to the Auditor General within 5 Months after the end of the Financial Year; and

b)         on Road Map progress

Outcomes for matters on the Notice Paper which were debated are as follows:

1     Goods and Services (Amendment) Bill 2012 – presented and passed through all stages as an urgent Bill

April sitting of the Legislative Assembly

The next scheduled sitting of the Legislative Assembly is Wednesday 11 April 2012 at 10 am.

To read the Notice Paper, Programme and Minutes of Proceedings and legislation tabled in the House go to www.info.gov.nf. Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 16 March 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com

Your Parliament - Your Voice 9 March 2012

       

  “Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

It is Commonwealth Day on Monday the 12^th March 2012 and we send warm wishes for a most enjoyable day to Norfolk’s attendees Tim Gatehouse, Tennille Christian and Leah Christian from whom we look forward to receiving in due course a report on the activities they attended.  We have asked them to make sure they link up at the celebrations with the Manx students from the Isle of Man – Kirsty Renshaw and Abby Dixon (featured below).  Readers will recall that Norfolk Island and the Isle of Man signed a Cultural Agreement last July in which our two Islands acknowledge our common ties of family and culture and acknowledge our desire to develop and strengthen friendly relations and to promote interest in the fields of heritage, culture, research, education and media communications.

Kirsty Rensha

Former Buchan and King William’s College student Kirsty Renshaw, a Durham University BA (Hons) graduate in history, English and politics, is now reading law at BPP law school, London. Abby Dixon is at London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) reading for an MSc in migration, mobility and development. She is also learning Swahili and, once qualified, is hoping to relocate to East Africa to work in humanitarian development.

                     

  

The following words from Isle of Man CPA branch chairman Mr Juan Watterson MHK sums up perfectly what the Commonwealth Day activity in London organised by the CPA for us is all about:

 

Abby Dixon

‘This year’s observance day event not only provides an opportunity to reflect on the enduring relevance and importance of the Commonwealth but also the valuable contribution it makes, through the work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in bringing nations, and young people especially, together in a spirit of mutual understanding to further the aims of parliamentary democracy. It is therefore fitting that the theme for this year’s Commonwealth Day observance celebrations in London is Connecting Cultures and I am pleased the Isle of Man branch of the CPA has been able to offer Abby and Kirsty this unique insight into the modern-day Commonwealth.’

It is our wish that this year’s Commonwealth Day celebrations in London will further connect the cultures of Norfolk Island and the Isle of Man through a coming together of Abby, Kirsty, Tim, Tennille and Leah.

Whilst Commonwealth Day is celebrated around the Commonwealth of Nations on Monday the 12^th March, this year we will acknowledge Commonwealth Day at the School Assembly on Wednesday the 14^th March when Deputy Speaker Snell will speak about Commonwealth Day and Ms Sophie Donohoe, Spokesman for the Youth Assembly, will read Her Majesty’s Message.

Matters from the sitting of the Legislative Assembly on 7 March 2012 will be reported in next weeks issue of Your Parliament Your Voice.  To read the Notice Paper, Programme and Minutes of Proceedings and legislation tabled in the House go to www.info.gov.nf.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 9 March 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com

   

“Your Parliament – Your Voice”

From the Office of the Speaker

Commonwealth Day 2012

I am sure readers will join with me in offering congratulations to three of our young people who are currently working in London and who have been chosen to represent Norfolk at the Commonwealth Day celebrations being held in London on Commonwealth Day – the 14^th March 2012.  They are Tim Gatehouse (son of Chris and Karen), Tennille Christian (daughter of John and Kerry) and Leah Christian (daughter of Enoch and Coral).

 

                                                                                                   

 Tim Gatehouse

Leah Christian

    Tennille Christian

 Congratulations to you all and we know you will represent Norfolk well.  The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) programme for the Commonwealth Day Event in London for 2012 will be held in Westminster House.  The day will start with an introduction by Dr William F. Shija, Secretary-General, CPA and Mr David Broom, Director Finance & Administration, CPA.  Participants will enjoy a tour of the Houses of Parliament and partake in question time on the subjects of “What does an MP actually do”? and “What does the work of a High Commissioner involve”?  They will then enjoy lunch followed by attending the Commonwealth Day Observance at Westminster Abbey, at which Her Majesty the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth will be present as will all Commonwealth High Commissioners in London. 

Tennille was very lucky to be selected by CPA Headquarters to also attend the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s evening reception that night, also in the presence of Her Majesty.  There are only limited seats available to this evening reception and we were most pleased to learn that they had picked a Norfolk Island representative.

Formal launch of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on Norfolk Island

In 2010 the Australian Parliament amended the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Clth) to allow applications to be made to the Tribunal for the review of decisions made in the exercise of powers conferred by Norfolk Island enactments that are mentioned in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Regulations. With Justice Garry Downes presiding the Administrative Appeals Tribunal was formally launched in the Court House at Old Military Barracks on Thursday 1 March 2012.   His Honour the Administrator Mr Owen Walsh and Chief Minister Hon David Buffett AM MLA joined Justice Downes on the bench, both acknowledging the potential benefits to flow to the Norfolk Island community through the future work of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on our Island.

Visit of Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Ms Penelope Wensley AC

We look forward to welcoming to Norfolk Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Ms Penelope Wensley AC and Mr Stuart McCosker who are visiting our shores from 2 to 6 March 2012.  A number of official engagements have been arranged for Her Excellency during her visit including attending the International Women’s Day Reception hosted by the Administrator at Paradise Hotel on Sunday afternoon and a morning tea with Members of the Legislative Assembly on Monday morning.  A warm welcome is extended to Her Excellency and Mr McCosker.

March sitting of the Legislative Assembly

The next scheduled sitting of the Legislative Assembly is Wednesday 7 March 2012 at 10 am. Matters programmed for the sitting can be read elsewhere in this publication.

To read the Notice Paper, Programme and Minutes of Proceedings and legislation tabled in the House go to www.info.gov.nf. Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 2 March 2012 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com