Mary Aldred (Monash, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Let's go, Dan! Wonthaggi veteran Dan Lucas has been through a lot, but he was kicking goals at the Australian Masters Games just last week. Dan had a terrific debut in archery, finishing first in his group in his first ever competition. I've met Dan a number of times through his volunteer work at the Wonthaggi RSL advocating for veteran welfare, and he is doing a great job. I think it's a timely reminder to reflect with gratitude on all of our veterans community with Remembrance Day next week, on 11 November. I reflect on my grandfather—my mum's dad—who served in World War II. He was captured and imprisoned as a prisoner of war at Changi under terrible conditions. I reflect on his service and the service of so many across Australia.

The Phillip Island rec reserve is something that I've been advocating for passionately for a very long time. I'm working with the mighty Phillip Island Bulldogs, a footy team, who are at absolute capacity. Locals have been advocating for this project for over 20 years. It's the biggest football club in Gippsland. It's having to divert players away to Dalyston and other clubs. I'm also working with the Phillip Island dog walkers' association, who have limited off-leash areas for their dogs. I'll continue to advocate for their needs as well.

The South Gippsland Highway intersection at McCartin Street, Roughead Street and along Hughes Street is a huge headache for lots of parents who suffer a bottleneck every morning on their way to school drop-off. It's also a dangerous black-spot area. As a freight driven area, we need safe, efficient routes to market for our local producers. I'm going to keep fighting for an upgrade to the McCartin Street corner in Leongatha to make sure we get the investment and support we need to upgrade our infrastructure. That is a critical area of priority.

I also want to give a shout-out to Leongatha basketball's Leongatha Parrots. The Leongatha basketball stadium has 50-plus upside-down umbrellas attached to the roof to catch the water leaking when it rains heavily, such is the condition and disrepair of their roof. Leongatha basketball players, from young players starting out through to elite players, deserve much better facilities. I will continue to advocate for funding. I came to the last election with support for this from the coalition, and I will continue to raise that as a major priority.

I also want to give a shout-out to the film Just a Farmer, which is screening in Warrigal and right across Australia. It's doing a tremendous job raising the issue of mental health for many in our farming communities.

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