Gabriel Ng (Menzies, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about the volunteers in Menzies, who are the lifeblood of our community. So much of what we enjoy and rely on in our neighbourhoods exist because of their generosity, time and commitment. From our sporting clubs and schools to community services and environmental groups, volunteers from the backbone of civic life in Menzies.

Over the past few months, I've had the privilege of visiting a number of these organisations, each of which reflects the vibrancy and diversity of our electorate. Thanks to the support of the Albanese Labor government, we have been able to assist many of these groups through the Volunteer Grants program. These grants make a very real difference, giving community organisations the tools and resources they need to keep operating and recruiting volunteers.

I must admit something. Although I try to do a bit of exercise and keep myself fit, I'm pretty bad at sport. This has not stopped me, however, from embarrassing myself and getting involved in our local sports community. In fact, it has been a pleasure to spend time with so many of our clubs, seeing firsthand the way volunteers make sport accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages.

I was delighted to visit the at the Koonung Comets Basketball Club, who received a grant of $3,000. I was fortunate to visit during a training session and see firsthand the enthusiasm, fun, and community amongst the players and volunteers. In Warrandyte, I had the privilege of popping down to Warrandyte Reserve and meeting with the Warrandyte Sporting Club. There, I met with the Warrandyte Netball Club, who received a volunteer grant of $1,000. I even tried some shooting, although I confess that I have a new appreciation for the difficulty of shooting without a backboard. I missed a lot more shots than I got in—so many. What was impressive were the volunteer coaches and players who keep the club running week after week.

The Warrandyte Football Club received $3,000, and I was fortunate enough to be present for their last game before the finals. They won that match and were successful in their semi-final matches. I wish them luck in the upcoming finals. Go Bloods! Clubs like theirs bring families together, and their success on the field keeps the community spirit alive. I also met with the Warrandyte Cricket Club. I was almost roped into fielding practice, as they prepared for their season. I can assure you, I would not have lasted long in the slips. Still, it was as joy to see how cricket continues to thrive locally, with volunteers dedicating countless hours to training, fundraising and mentoring the next generation.

Sport is only one part of the volunteer landscape in Menzies. Beyond the playing fields and courts, I also want to acknowledge the extraordinary work of our community services. Carenet provides essential support in the area of food security and access. Their volunteers are on the frontline, ensuring that no family goes without when times are tough. I was blown away by the scale of their operation, the enthusiasm of the volunteers and how they can do so much with so little.

Last weekend I was again at Warrandyte sporting club, this time to attend an event organised by some local leaders, the Pink Ladies. In the last few years the Pink Ladies have raised more than $100,000 with the McGrath Foundation to fight breast cancer. Last Saturday they held a fantastic fundraiser concert to raise awareness of testicular, prostate and lung cancer. Survivors played music and shared some classic tunes, and also share their stories to encourage men to better look after their health and get themselves checked. Well done to the Pink Ladies.

Doncare are an essential part of our community that bring a unique, local, holistic approach to providing social supports. They provide counselling, emergency relief, family violence services and social supports for seniors. Crucial to this are their volunteers, particularly in their wonderful community op shops. We should also celebrate the parents who volunteer on school councils, at fates, on kinder committees and at weekend sports days. Whether in primary or secondary schools or in kinders, these parents make their schools and communities stronger, their children's experiences richer and their communities more welcoming.

I was also fortunate to join a local plant-a-tree day alongside the Friends of Wurundjeri in Whitehorse and Manningham. It was a reminder that volunteers are not only building a community here but also safeguarding the future of our environment. (Time expired)

Federation Chamber adjourned at 13 : 31

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