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Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Page: 3618

Mrs GRIGGS (Solomon) (16:28): I rise to speak about a great health-in-community initiative that took place in my electorate of Solomon over the weekend, the World's Greatest Shave. Many Territorians braved the clippers at public shave events across the Territory, including at The Deck Bar in Darwin city where I was joined by a team of volunteers, aptly called 'Team Wigsy Griggsy'. We had our work cut out for us, shaving, waxing, and clipping all forms of hair in the name of charity. I also had the pleasure—

Ms Hall: Did you cut yours?

Mrs GRIGGS: Yes, I will take that interjection; I did not cut mine but I did have a very colourful wig on all weekend.

I had the pleasure of supporting Shelly Ryan of the Leukaemia Foundation at the AFLNT at the Northern Territory Football League grand final at Marrara on Saturday evening. Not only did the Tiwi Bombers make history by winning their first NTFL by beating Nightcliff, but during the half-time, we continued to shave heads. To shave heads and raise much-needed funds for the foundation I was joined by Northern Territory Police Commissioner John McRoberts; Territory football great Michael Long; Irish AFL player Tadgh Kennelly; NT Thunder mascot Cracker, who, I might add, was not a very good shaver; and NT Thunder CEO Jarred Ilett. AFL NT on that night donated 50c for each ticket bought and raised a whopping $15,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation, so a good job done by them.

Those who lost their locks included AFL NT CEO, Tony Frawley, and his wife, Tracey, who had beautiful long blonde hair. She had a No. 4. She thought she was going to cry, but she actually looked stunning. She has beautiful eyes and it highlighted that fact. Casuarina Police Superintendent James O'Brien and NT Thunder Commercial Operations Manager, Matt Argus, also lost their locks. An amount of $125,000 has been raised across the Northern Territory and $9 million nationally. That is a great effort.

In the time left available to me, I would like to share with you the fact that yesterday I met here at Parliament House both the Northern Territory winner and runner-up of the Simpson Prize. As you know, Mr Deputy Speaker, this prize is a national competition, conducted by the History Teachers Association of Australia, together with state and territory affiliates, for years 9 and 10 students on behalf of the Australian government. The competition celebrates the Anzac tradition. Students are asked to write an essay or give a statement on their thinking of the Anzacs. Tamara West of Kormilda College was the Northern Territory runner-up, while Emily Stewart, formerly of Palmerston Senior College, was the Northern Territory winner. It was wonderful that they were here yesterday. (Time expired)