This will be very short. I will not take too much of your time, but this is an event that is occurring in Launceston and I just need to talk to you about it. Before Parliament rises for the year I thought it appropriate to speak to you about an important activity that has been planned for Launceston in 2006, and I think a lot would probably already know about it. 2006 has been chosen as a year for the people of Launceston to rediscover our - and I am referring to it as our?mine - past, embrace our differences and shape our future. It will jointly mark the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the settlement named Launceston, while also celebrating the 35 000 years of the indigenous people of the Tamar region.

For each of us, Launceston in that year will mean something different. It will be a time to join together in embracing the differences and building for our future. What will mark this year is a program called 200 Years - It's About Us. It's About Us is a year-long celebration of events and projects that reflect Launceston's people, its place in the nation and its role in the development of Tasmania. The groundwork has already begun. In June this year the Launceston City Council started the process by calling for the community's ideas for events and projects that will formulate a program to run over the 12 months of 2006. So it is a full year of activity, catering for ideas from the community reflecting the philosophy behind It's About Us so that we as a community will work together to develop achievable ideas and translate them into a meaningful program. The community is the core of any idea for It's About Us.

When the call for ideas closed on 1 September, more than 180 ideas were received, ideas that came from a range of individuals, groups and organisations who all wanted to contribute to a year during which Launceston and its people can feel proud of the city's place in our State, our nation and the world. A broad-based committee of community representatives then assessed all the ideas, and I take this opportunity to thank those involved, and in particular I want to acknowledge the contribution of the representatives of the indigenous community for their input and guidance.

The community group have now made recommendations to the It's About Us 2006 Launceston Committee, of which I am a member. The committee has reviewed the recommendations and has asked officers of the Launceston City Council to work with those who submitted the ideas to investigate whether the ideas are achievable. They are also looking at linking those groups who have similar ideas. I am unable to talk about the specifics of the ideas as they are currently in the feasibility assessment stage, but I can indicate that they cover a wide range of areas including recreation, history, literature, performing and visual arts, education, photography and general community celebration. Each of the ideas chosen will help formulate a program which reflects our diverse culture, reflects our past and present, is inclusive of our community, is distinctive, engaging, fun, inspiring and imaginative, brings positive and lasting outcomes, builds on our city's vision statement - Launceston, Our City of Learning and Innovation, Open to the World.

The final program will include those ideas that best meet the guidelines, and it will be announced in late 2005. As 2006 approaches and the program is developed, I look forward to providing you with further updates. It is going to be an exciting year. It is a full year of entertainment and activity for Launceston, and Tasmania to that extent, and I would ask that you all note the year 2006 in your diaries as a year for Launceston.

I wish you all the best for Christmas.