Over the past week, I've had the privilege of spending some time with some remarkable organisations in Townsville. These organisations may have different purposes, but they are all united by something very important: community, mateship and looking after one another. I recently joined a local dragon boat regatta raising awareness for breast cancer and celebrating life after a breast cancer diagnosis. It was an extremely important event. We saw teams there from across Townsville, from corrections to the hospital and to other local organisations. They were also highlighting how men need to check for breast cancer as well.

I was sitting off on the side with the Rotary Club of Townsville who sponsored and supported the event, and I thought that was good enough, but I ended up in a dragon boat and racing. I am not fit enough to be in a dragon boat. My body was sore for many days after. The team had won every event until I got into it, and then we got second—but it was for a good cause. Events like this are far more than competition; they are about standing beside the people who have faced enormous challenges, celebrating their strength and reminding them that their community is behind them.

I also had the honour of joining local war widows at a luncheon at the Townsville RSL club. It was an opportunity to learn more about the remarkable Jesse Mary Vasey, who founded the War Widows' Guild of Australia, following the death of her husband Major General George Vasey in 1945. She helped create an organisation that provided friendship, counselling and practical support to war widows, while also becoming a powerful voice advocating for their interests. That spirit of supporting one another was certainly alive in Townsville.

There was another great reason to be in the room: Gladys was marking her 100th birthday. Happy birthday Gladys! What an extraordinary milestone.

Last week, I also spent a bit of time at the Townsville Men's Shed, where it was terrific to meet the president, Jeff, and chat with members. Men's Sheds play an important role in communities like ours. They give blokes a place to come together, work on projects, have a yarn, build friendships and stay connected. Sometimes the most important conversations happen while working alongside someone else, with a cuppa in hand.

These organisations represent the very best of Townsville. They remind us that strong communities aren't built in Canberra; they're built by local people in the regions. They look after each other. They look after their mates. They step up when someone needs a hand. To everyone involved in the dragon boat community, to Rotary, to war widows and to the Townsville Men's Shed, I want to say: thank you.