Christine's Inaugural Speech 1999
9 November 1999 Page 203
I thank the people of Evelyn for their confidence in me and I congratulate the Speaker on his elevation to that position. I may be a little biased when I say, as did my predecessor the Honourable Jim Plowman, former Speaker of the house, when he made his first speech on 25 October 1973, that Evelyn is no doubt the most picturesque electorate in Victoria. The electorate has changed its geographical boundaries since my
Page 204 I came to Evelyn with my Australian-born husband, David, in 1975, eight years after I had migrated to Australia as a ' 10 Pom'. That payment of 10 was the best investment I have ever made. My first home in Australia was a Nissen hut at the Nunawading migrant hostel. Our search in the Yarra Valley for a block of land to build our home and plant a vineyard began 137 years after the Ryrie brothers had walked from Sydney with a herd of cattle and a bundle of vine cuttings searching for an overland trade route from Sydney to Melbourne. At that stage in our history the first European settlers in Melbourne had not yet found a way through the thick bush that covered the area now known as Box Hill and Ringwood. In 1842 a track was hacked bringing the early settlers from Melbourne.
That track is now known as the Maroondah Highway. Migrants from Britain and the Channel Isles, Europe, the Mediterranean and China soon followed the Ryrie brothers. All saw, as we did, the potential of this fertile land. The courage, tenacity and hard physical work of those early settlers laid the foundations for the strong rural diversity we have today. The rural industries in Evelyn range from sheep and cattle to timber getting, cabbages and orchards, vineyards and hydroponically grown flowers, fruit and vegetables. Evelyn and its neighbouring electorate of Monbulk are the leading growers of cut flowers in Victoria. A booming export industry has now been developed. In Evelyn we export cabbages, brussel sprouts, apples, pears, stone and berry fruits, and wine both interstate and to world markets.
The steady growth in farm-gate sales is proving to be a valuable addition to our tourism attractions. Ever increasing numbers of Melburnians and tourists from interstate and overseas are visiting the region, not only for its natural attractions but for its food and wine. They stay in the many comfortable and attractive bed-and-breakfast establishments, guest houses and motels, or at the Warburton Health Care Centre, with its excellent programs for dealing with stress, smoking, alcohol, weight and drug problems. The produce of the Yarra Valley is prized for its quality, intensity of flavour and diversity. Buyers from world markets see our produce as pollution free -- as 'green and clean'. The publicity attracted to the Yarra Valley and the increasing numbers of tourists have also increased the demands of people wanting to come to live in the region for its rural beauty and location close to Melbourne.
However, as in other parts of Victoria, it brings with it the difficulties of maintaining harmonious relations between lifestyle residents and farmers. Farming is an industry, often operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As can all other industries, it can at times be noisy, smelly and disruptive. Crops must be sprayed and harvesters must be allowed to operate at the optimum times for ripeness and marketability of crops. As these industries grow and prosper traffic flows increase, and the requirements for farm buildings grow in both number and size. When making planning decisions state and local governments must consider not only the points of view of new residents but also those of farmers. For instance, housing subdivisions should not be permitted adjacent to valuable and ever decreasing farmland.
During my time in this place representing the people of Evelyn, I will work not only for them but also for the hardworking agricultural producers of Victoria. I will help develop sensible, realistic solutions that will give farmers the right to farm and local residents the right to enjoy their lifestyles. Evelyn takes in the Yarra Valley, one of the leading wine-making tourist areas not only of this great state but of Australia. I am proud of the role David and I have played in its development and profile. Many millions of dollars have been invested in the Yarra Valley wine industry during the past few years. Our orchardists, nurserymen and timber mills have invested heavily in infrastructure, research and development. Their confidence to do this has stemmed from a decision by the former Premier, the Honourable Jeffrey Kennett.
His foresight, wisdom and vision to lock up the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges regional strategy plan, to preserve the rural land in the Shire of Yarra Ranges against inappropriate development, has given these rural industries confidence to invest safely in long-term planning and research. The Kennett government's decision has given future generations of Melburnians the right, on their doorstep, to enjoy rural vistas and agricultural produce that rival those of any other region in the world. History will look kindly on the legislation and the government that made it possible. Evelyn is not all paddocks; it has thriving manufacturing, food processing and high-tech industries in the industrial areas of Lilydale, and smaller manufacturing businesses at Woori Yallock and Wandin. There are many enterprising micro-businesses, often home based, supplying interstate and world
Page 205 The principals and teachers of the 4 state secondary and 23 primary schools in Evelyn have my utmost admiration for their professionalism and dedication not only to their students but also within the local communities. The people of Evelyn are strong and resilient, just like the early settlers. They believe that when something needs doing you get up and do it. This is evidenced by the residents who raised money and physically contributed to the building of the Yarra Centre and who are now working hard raising funds and lobbying for a heated indoor swimming pool.
Following the Ash Wednesday bushfires the residents of Powelltown decided they wanted a town water and fire-fighting system. They got together and made it happen. Men, women and children dug trenches, laid gravel and pipes, put in fire hydrants and water storage tanks. From 1984 to 1992 they fought bureaucracy and endless red tape. Then, when the members of the little community had finished installing the town water system they bought a second-hand fire truck and persuaded a local CFA unit to train them so that they could protect themselves and their properties. That spirit is also evidenced by the traders, the advancement league and the residents of Warburton, who are beautifying and revitalising their town and attracting visitors to their well-stocked, attractive shops, cafes and restaurants, and by the volunteers who man the Warburton Water Wheel Information Centre, whose enthusiasm and pride in the Upper Yarra is limitless.
It is also evidenced by the tireless work of the Warburton Rail Trail Committee, who with friends and volunteers have worked and created what has become a major tourist walking trail that is well used by local residents. The Warburton trail is a strong success symbol of the commitment to regional tourism and the wine industry made by the honourable member for Brighton and the Leader of the National Party, both of whom were previously Minister for Tourism. The pioneer spirit is also strong in the members of the Lilydale Melba museum committee, who work tirelessly to raise funds and preserve our heritage. All these people make me feel very humble and proud to be elected as their representative. I have spoken at length about the many good things in Evelyn, including its tourist and agricultural strengths, which have been achieved by committed individuals and small businesses.
I now draw to the attention of the house some of the needs of the people of Evelyn. There are pockets of unemployment, both of youth and mature-aged people, particularly in the Upper Yarra region. In the same region a larger than average percentage of people is living on welfare. Both primary and secondary schools have to devote many hours away from teaching to attend to the welfare needs of their students. The need for school counsellors, which was recognised by the former Minister for Education, is urgent. I urge the Bracks government to honour that commitment. Our police force is stretched dealing with petty crime and acts of mindless vandalism often caused by bored, unemployed, directionless youth. It is essential that the momentum in business growth and consequential increase in employment achieved by the Kennett government be encouraged and maintained. It has taken a long time for local businesses to recover from the recession we had to have and recommence employing people.
It would be a disaster if employment growth slowed again. Illegal drugs are also an issue in Evelyn. Marijuana usage is causing long-term, and in some cases, permanent psychological damage, not just to teenagers but to adults of all ages. We are now facing the unscrupulous, evil dealers of harder drugs moving their marketing tactics into the region. Evelyn is a community of families of all combinations. It is a caring community. Illegal drugs and the related crime and suicide have touched all of us in one way or another. We know there is no single solution -- in fact, there are probably several different solutions. All I know for sure is that we cannot ignore the issue, whether it is in Evelyn or elsewhere. It is our responsibility -- mine and that of all honourable members of this house as well as of the community at large -- to search tirelessly and unceasingly for the long-term answers. Quick-fix bandaid solutions are not the answer.
I am committed to doing all I can to search for the answers as to why so many are becoming addicted and how we can help them move away from their addiction. Grave concern has been expressed to me daily by Evelyn residents that the introduction of so-called safe injecting houses will be seen by our very young as condoning or even approving the use of illegal drugs. There is grave concern that the action I referred to is being taken in response to a desire to be seen to be doing something rather than presenting a long-term
Page 206 Before I conclude, I thank the Clerks and staff of Parliament and members of Parliament for the courtesy and assistance offered to me. It certainly makes a deal of difference to a newly elected member to be so warmly welcomed and assisted. I thank my electorate chairman, Mrs June Delbridge; my campaign manager, Mr John Ridley, and everyone else who worked tirelessly with me during the election campaign. I am deeply honoured by their friendship, trust and support. I also thank, with all my love, my husband, David, and our children for their support, encouragement, tolerance and humour. During my term in Parliament I shall endeavour to represent the people of the Evelyn electorate with diligence and to the best of my ability, and to contribute whatever I can to the functioning of Parliament.
I am proud to be here, as an Australian and as the member for Evelyn.
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