Mark Speakman | Politician

Mark Speakman

Phone: +61 2 9527 1477

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25.01.2022 Today Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor MLC, State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan and I announced a new suicide monitoring system to provide up-to-date data for health and support services about the number (location, age, gender) of suicide deaths across NSW. This means that from right now, we will be able to make critical decisions about services and local health responses in communities where we can effectively see risks emerging in real time instead of reacting to year-old ...(or older) coronial data. The first public report showed the number of suicide deaths in 2020 is tracking almost identically to the equivalent period in 2019. The next stage will be to develop an enhanced data set, which will include information about the social, economic and other pressures a person may have experienced, as well as any previous contact with health services. Towards Zero Suicides is a NSW Premier’s Priority and the NSW Government is investing $87 million over three years in new suicide prevention initiatives. For help call 000 or: Lifeline 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511

25.01.2022 Raising awareness; Supporting frontline services; Reporting abuse:... three things every Australian can do to combat domestic and family violence.

24.01.2022 Today’s sad 40th anniversary of the deaths of five local volunteer firefighters reminds us of the risks our firefighters regularly face to keep us safe. RIP Steve Crunkhorn, Gregory Rolf, Vernon Stedman, David Marshall and William Cummings. Grays Point RFS NSW Rural Fire Service

22.01.2022 Today I joined Delia Donovan from Domestic Violence NSW and Natalie Ward to announce NSW distribution of another $9 million in federal funding for frontline domestic violence services responding to increased demand due to #COVID-19. Services can apply for a one-off grant of $20,000 to $150,000 via www.women.nsw.gov.au/commissioning/DFVCovid19Funding. While most of us have been contending with this once-in-a-generation pandemic, many others have been facing abuse behind closed doors, doors that have potentially made it more difficult than ever for victim-survivors to ask for help. That’s where our NSW Police Force and frontline services come in - you’re all angels, helping the most vulnerable people across our neighbourhoods.

22.01.2022 Thanks ACU Cronulla Sharks Water Polo for the update this morning on a whole host of club activities.

21.01.2022 A sombre vigil in Hyde Park this afternoon, remembering 45 women killed by domestic violence in Australia this year, and men, children and animals lost to domestic violence as well.

20.01.2022 Here are some excerpts from my recent chat with the Sydney Business Chamber. We covered defamation, domestic violence, digital assets after death or incapacity and data breaches / privacy, among other topics.

17.01.2022 There may be no street stalls this year in Cronulla mall or elsewhere for Daffodil Day, but you can still make a contribution today and move towards a cancer-free tomorrow. bit.ly/3jpSSu3 Cancer Council NSW Cancer Council Australia

16.01.2022 Tomorrow is the 75th anniversary of VP Day. We remember those willing to give their lives fighting for our freedom. The Second World War remains the bloodiest conflict ever fought. There is much we can learn from the men and women who served. Men like shearer Cecil Bob Leckie (photo attached) who at 19 years old, signed up in ’45. After clearing mines from the beaches of Rabaul, Horse (as he was known) was assigned to accompany repatriated Japanese POWs back home. Ordi...nary blokes he called them. We used to laugh and joke with them, poke fun at each other without animosity between us, he said. Bob was posted to Hiroshima where he saw the aftermath of nuclear horror, returning home in 1948 to work the land near the scorched north west NSW town of White Cliffs. The most precious memory came right at the end of Bob’s service. As he boarded the truck at Hiroshima to come home, Bob heard a little girl’s voice call out, Sayonara, Ume-san. Or, Goodbye Mr Horse. Bob’s is just one of the many stories at #VeteranStory75years project captured for posterity in the NSW War Memorials Register. Visit the site, read the stories, learn how sacrifice and a little humour can mend differences between the bitterest of enemies. https://bit.ly/31Lw5BM

15.01.2022 #RUOKDay2020 A simple question can make all the difference to someone struggling with emotional turmoil, anxiety or depression. It can be hard to start that conversation, but here’s a short guide to helping a friend find the road to recovery. #suicideprevention #mentalhealth

14.01.2022 The families of police officers face the reality that one day their loved one won’t return home from work. On National Police Remembrance Day we honour those who‘ve fallen as a result of the work they do protecting us every day. This week’s Leader op ed: https://www.theleader.com.au//shire-matters-with-mark-sp/

13.01.2022 Orange saviours shine again - my op ed in The Leader Great work NSW SES Sutherland Shire! NSW SES

13.01.2022 New goals for Cronulla Seagulls FC #Miniroos players, assisted by a NSW Government local sport grant.

13.01.2022 Over 110 Lilli Pilli FC teams (as well as other Sutherland Shire Football Association clubs) #playinpurple - playing in purple socks during September to support pancreatic cancer research, awareness and fundraising for Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation . avnersfoundation.org.au

12.01.2022 The NSW government will spend $7m to deliver a new MRI at Sutherland Hospital. This will mean that Sutherland Shire residents will no longer need to travel to St George Hospital for MRI services. The MRI is in addition to the current $81.5 million redevelopment of Sutherland Hospital's operating theatres and endoscopy suites, and the new emergency department which opened in 2018. A special thanks to Marilyn Urch and Sandra Hudson, who organised a >5000 signature community petition and provided me with extensive research support.

12.01.2022 Shout out to all the wonderful dads this #FathersDay. I've had a delightful morning with my 2 children. Thoughts are also with those who can't, for whatever reason, see their fathers today. Thanks today as well to single mums, widows, grandparents and foster parents.

11.01.2022 It’s the first time a day on the job has included getting a haircut - but it was definitely for good reason. Today in Nowra I announced new domestic violence awareness training, through Legal Aid NSW, for hairdressers in five regions to help them understand, identify and support clients who may disclose abuse.

10.01.2022 Delighted to join local MP Justin Clancy to announce the construction of an additional courtroom at Albury Courthouse.

10.01.2022 Now more than ever we need quality, ethical journalism. Congratulations to The Leader on its 60th anniversary this year.

08.01.2022 Recycling has never been easier with the opening of a new Return and Earn automated depot in Caringbah. The Shire Return and Earn depot is open Monday-Saturday, 8am-4pm at 52 Cawarra Road. More than 49 million containers have been returned in the Sutherland Shire since December 2017.

08.01.2022 Happy 50 Gladys Berejiklian !

06.01.2022 The 24 Hour Row is now on (12 noon Sat 22 Aug to 12 noon Sun 23 Aug) at North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and others (including Elouera SLSC), raising $ for Gotcha4Life mental fitness. Donate at https://bit.ly/3laQJUq.

06.01.2022 Welcome 7 new probationary constables on their first day on the job with the NSWPOL Sutherland Shire Police Area Command. These officers have joined a team of committed police men and women who work tirelessly to keep our local community safe.

06.01.2022 Day trip to Wollongong and Nowra: Interview on ABC Illawarra breakfast with Melinda James Interview on 2ST with Mandy Coolen Visits to specialist frontline domestic violence services YWCA Australia and SAHSSI who do an outstanding job supporting victim-survivors across their communities each day. It’s incredibly challenging work, it’s often thankless work and it’s become even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Announcing new domestic violence awareness t...raining for hairdressers (see separate post). Announcing the expansion of the NSW Government’s domestic violence ‘Speak Out’ campaign, in partnership with the Australian Hotels Association NSW. The Bomaderry Hotel was leading the way, with its posters already on display so victim-survivors who visit their venue can discreetly take down the number for the NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63) to access support when it’s safe to do so. Meeting with the local Magistrate, Aboriginal elders, NSW Police Force, Aboriginal Legal Service, and the Aboriginal Services Unit to discuss the circle sentencing program at Nowra Courthouse was an unforgettable experience. The passion and dedication that everyone, especially the elders, have for this program was palpable. It reduces reoffending and incarceration. Visiting the South Coast Police District at Nowra police station. These officers and their colleagues across NSW have played a pivotal role in keeping the community safe during COVID-19. Thank you for your hard work + efforts to address domestic violence. See more

06.01.2022 The overall water quality results for Cronulla electorate beaches in the recently released Beachwatch State of the Beaches 2019-20 report are very pleasing. All ocean beaches between Greenhills and Oak Park were rated very good, the highest available ranking. This means that these sites had excellent water quality, indicating they are suitable for swimming almost all the time. Boat Harbour was rated good (generally good water quality and suitable for swimming ...most of the time). All monitored beaches in Port Hacking were rated good except Jibbon (very good) and Gymea Bay (fair). The NSW government has spent over $45 million on odour control and reliability upgrades at the Cronulla Waste Water Treatment Plant. The full 2019-20 State of the Beaches report is available at: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au//r/state-of-the-beaches

05.01.2022 Today I announced major multimillion dollar heritage restoration work, and new perimeter security, at Bathurst Courthouse and opened $2.2m security and other upgrades at Orange Courthouse. Bathurst Courthouse was built in 1880 and designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet. With Doric columns, an imposing portico, colonnade and copper-sheeted dome, its exceptional heritage significance is recognised on the NSW State Heritage Register. The restoration works include the building’s sandstone, metal, leadwork and wood elements, the copper dome, the copper-clad bell tower and the 27 chimneys. Orange Courthouse was completed in 1883 and also designed by James Barnet.

05.01.2022 Remembrance Sunday at Caringbah RSL Sub Branch. "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning ... We will remember them." Lest We Forget.

05.01.2022 When confronted with horrific domestic violence homicides, it’s understandably common for us men to say how appalled we’d be if that violence was inflicted upon our wife, our sisters or our daughters. We’ve all heard men say these words in the wake of yet another woman killed the names of whom come across my desk regularly. What we don’t say often enough is how appalled we’d be if our brothers, our sons or our mates had caused that death or injury to someone they claimed to love. I say this because of one unavoidable fact - overwhelmingly the perpetrators are men. For confidential advice, support and referrals related to domestic and family violence, contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men's Referral Service (1300 766 491).

04.01.2022 Start of the Cape Baily track, in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, before and after the 2017 fire - the first photo is with Gabrielle Upton in 2017 and the rest are yesterday. Same spot, same shirt (), but new growth and a new path! WATCH THIS SPACE - some good news coming soon for Cape Solander...

02.01.2022 Day 1 of the re-opened NSW-Victoria border! #covid19 #covid19australia

02.01.2022 Congratulations and huge thanks to ALL volunteers nominated for today’s virtual 2020 Southern Sydney NSW Volunteer Awards. The 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year for the Southern Sydney region is Wanda Surf Life Saving Club volunteer John Douglas. John is also the Senior Volunteer of the Year. John has trained hundreds of nippers and been the coach of the Rescue and Resuscitation operations. John has also volunteered as a coach with Joeys JRLFC and basketball teams and with ...the local RFS. The Young Volunteer of the Year is Katia Liaros, a volunteer concierge with Hammond Care aged care facilities. The Adult Volunteer of the Year is Belinda Dahan, who contributes hundreds of volunteer hours each year at the Asylum Seekers Centre. The Volunteer Team of the Year is 3Bridges Community Early Years Support - 60 team members provide a vital in home support for mothers who are vulnerable due to isolation and other barriers. #sutherlandshire Surf Life Saving NSW The Centre for Volunteering

01.01.2022 Visiting some of our great local public schools this week.

01.01.2022 Saturday morning beach clean-up with Cronulla Rotary Club. The beach looks clean but there’s an extraordinary amount of rubbish, especially small plastic, when you look for it.