Holstein makes maiden speech

Member for Gosford Cr Chris Holstein gave his maiden speech at Parliament House in Sydney on Thursday, May 26.

Between thanking family, friends, traditional land owners and political predecessors, Cr Holstein reminisced on the vibrant history and prosperity of the Peninsula area.

"In 1788, Governor Arthur Phillip and a small party of officers and marines undertook a number of exploratory voyages to Brisbane Water" he said.

"Folklore says that on one such trip, a canoe of natives, who were either Darkinjung or Guringai people, jumped from their vessel and swam in the most unusual fashion, looping their arms out of the water in a forward motion.

"These were the first white men to see the Australian crawl."

Cr Holstein commented on the continued trend in growth of the Brisbane Water district as an area boasting both sound infrastructure and a successful tourism industry.

"The picturesque Brisbane Water, with breathtaking bushland, encompasses city lifestyle, urban living, rural farming, manufacturing, light industry and great tourism destinations."

Website, 07 Jun 2011 Parliament of NSW