I would like to congratulate the Curtin Primary School age care program for winning this year’s 2010 ACT Super Site Award. The award is presented each year to schools that take part in the Australian Sports Commissions Active After-school Communities program. Curtin Primary School age care program beat 49 other sites in the ACT to win the award. The Active After-school Communities program is a free Gillard government initiative that gives school-aged children the chance to experience 70 different sports and up to 20 other structured physical activities.

In Curtin Primary School’s case, students are kept active and entertained through dance, taekwondo, softball, cricket, soccer, rugby league, AFL and touch football—even cheerleading! The program aims to help establish healthy habits in primary school age children so that they will continue as they get older. And it was great to see the kids tucking into fresh fruit and healthy snacks when I presented the award. Without the program, over 80 per cent of children participating would not be engaged in any structured physical activity outside school. I congratulate Gabe Hodges, Kate Crawford and their team of enthusiastic early childhood development and education students and volunteers for keeping young Canberrans fit and healthy in a fun and safe way.