Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

  On 15 March this year I was delighted to attend the opening and launch of Hornsby Connect, a great new organisation in my electorate of Berowra that provides free food and low-cost everyday items to community members who are experiencing financial hardship. Food and items are sourced from Foodbank New South Wales and ACT and include a range of everyday products you would find in your local supermarket.    Hornsby Connect now has over 100 registered clients from all over the Berowra area and as far away as Blacktown. I am honoured to serve as a patron of such a fantastic organisation. At the launch you could see that the organisation was so well supported—by Hornsby Lions, by Berowra Lions, by St Ives Rotary, by the Asquith Magpies and by Hornsby Breakthrough Church.

I want to thank the hardworking and dedicated volunteers that have made Hornsby Connect, led by inspirational president Steve Hopwood, possible: Doug Reid, Bill Bradley, David Kerr, Graham Hosking, Julian Baez Avellaneda, Clover Bradley, Ralph Estherby, Brian Engert, Bill Glover and Ian Westmoreland. Their vision, 'A hand up to all in need', provides hope to those who need it most. In times of hardship, knowing you have the support of your community and those around you often makes the biggest difference. Hornsby Connect aims to foster strong community spirit and combat social isolation and loneliness. Clients enter a safe environment and leave with a renewed sense of hope and optimism. I wish Hornsby Connect many, many years of success in the future.