November 17 - 23, 2013: Issue 137
Quiet Please - There's a Lady Speaker in the Australian House of Representatives
Hon. Bronwyn Bishop MP accepts a new cap at Whale Beach SLSC Offical Opening of Renovated Clubhouse and 75th Celebrations 29.9.2013. Picture by A J Guesdon.
On Tuesday 12th of November 2013, after the official opening of the 44th Parliament of Australia, Federal Member for Mackellar, the Hon. Bronwyn Bishop was elected as Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives. This makes our MP the Coalition's first female Speaker of the House and the third female Speaker elected, a choice that is sure to raise the tone of any debate conducted in this chamber should those voted in to represent us aspire to her own eloquence and hopefully bring back a little much needed civility should her own conduct through decades of representation inspire the observation of fundamental politeness.
In Australia the Speaker generally remains an active member of their party, will continue to attend party meetings, and at general elections will stand as a party candidate.
Many in Pittwater know how tireless their Federal Representative is and would not be surprised that the Hon. Bronwyn Bishop was at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club on Friday as part of their very popular Speakers Corner luncheon series.
Report by Damian Devine HERE
The Speaker, Hon. Bronwyn Bishop MP, presents the Hon Tony Abbott MP, Prime Minister of Australia, to the Governor-General, the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO. Picture courtesy Parliament of Australia website.
Newport SLSC 2013 Boat Carnival - Round Two in the Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Premiership
The Gary Cook of Newport SLSC - off and racing! Picture by Michael Mannington, 2013.
Newport Beach SLSC hosted Round Two in the 2013 Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Premiership yesterday. Following the races at Bilgola SLSC's open of the team rowers events for this season, balmy breezes and tricky waves close to shore upset a few surfboats but didn't stop crews from further north and south pulling hard against each other.
We asked Michael Mannington of Volunteer Photography to catch some of the action for this week's featured Pictorial.
Commodore Graham Sloper AM RAN (Rtd.) Awarded Life Membership of the Returned Services League
Cr. Jacqui Townsend, Mayor Of Pittwater, presents Commodore Graham Sloper AM RAN (Rtd.) with Life Membership RSL of Australia. Picture by A J Guesdon, 2013.
COMMODORE Graham Sloper AM RAN (Rtd.) was presented with a Life Membership of the Returned Services League on Monday of this week.
This provided the ideal opportunity to get an update from Mr Sloper (Graham as he prefers to be called when ‘RHIP’ – Rank has its Privileges) and publish an accurate record of what has happened to lead to this, learn about the newly established Veterans’ Centre – Northern Beaches, and what is coming up in the only annual Military Tattoo in NSW, the Avalon Tattoo, and how plans for the ANZAC Centenary Commemoration are proceeding .
Interview HERE
Remembrance Day 2013 Commemorative Service at Avalon Beach RSL Cenotaph
Christian Wedlake of 305 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC), Dee Why, part of the Catafalque Party at Remembrance Day Commemorative Service 2013. Picture by A J Guesdon, 2013.
Over two hundred Avalon Beach RSL sub-Branch members, Legacy widows, community representatives and residents gathered to honour those who have died or been affected by conflicts Australians have served in on Monday, Remembrance Day. The 2013 Address was given by Cr. Jacqui Townsend, Mayor of Pittwater who has recently hosted Australian Army soldiers that served in Timor Leste as part of the 1999 INTERFET forces.
Report HERE