Gai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to draw to the attention of the House the Woden Valley Festival that was recently held in Eddison Park in Philip in my electorate. The Woden Valley Festival is fast becoming a signature event for Canberra, from a small beginning a handful of years ago. The festival unites the Woden Valley community and links the people who live there with their local services and businesses. The idea for the festival came from the success of the 35th anniversary celebrations of the Woden Community Service in 2004. The first Woden Valley Festival was held in 2008 and attracted 1,500 people, which doubled to 3,000 in 2009.

Eddison Park, the home of the festival, is deeply entrenched in the history of Canberra and the history of our war service. The park used to be the Yamba property, which was owned by the Eddison family. Captain Walter Eddison served in World War I and received the parcel of land as a soldier’s grant. Tragically, all three of his sons died in World War II, a significant and unfair sacrifice for one family.

I would like to congratulate Woden Community Service, particularly Chris Redmond, and the Woden RSL, particularly Peter Collas, for organising this successful event. I would also like to acknowledge the fact that the Eddisons’ sister, Pam Young, was there as a special guest of the festival. An obelisk in the park commemorates the men and women of Canberra who served Australia during World War II.