Emma McBride (Dobell, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Gallery Precinct 2259 Love Lanes Festival launched in my home town, Wyong, on Saturday, and it was an overwhelming success. Despite the heat, more than 4,500 people came out—including my mum, Barbie—to Bakers Lane, Alison Road and Robley Lane as the town centre transformed into a hub of sound, colour, food and entertainment. Visitors enjoyed performances by local artists including the talented Ella Powell, sampled produce from market stalls, scaled a rock-climbing wall and, as the evening cooled, enjoyed cinema under the stars.

I would like to recognise the many local businesses and organisations who helped kickstart this outstanding community event: Coastwide First National real estate, Central Coast Holiday Parks, Design and Opinion communications, EAO Entertainment, Metro Cinemas, Wyong Baptist Church, the Oasis Centre, the chamber of commerce, the Grand Hotel, the Art House, Chapmans Old Store, Coastal Incidental, Allcott Hire, Wyong Neighbourhood Centre, Jendar Interior Design, Glee Coffee Roasters and CFM.

I would particularly like to acknowledge Matt and Bronwyn Lusted and Nick Barrett and Cath Austen from the Common Ground cafe, Wyong, for their enthusiastic efforts in pursuing and promoting the festival. I want to give special thanks to Central Coast Council's Julie Vaughan for sharing the community's vision to celebrate our town's history, unique character and vibrant future.

I look forward to Love Lanes becoming an annual event. I love Wyong.