Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Colleagues, I'd like to take this opportunity today to talk about the important role of philanthropy, particularly in rural communities, and to welcome to parliament this week some outstanding examples of philanthropy, particularly the Tomorrow Today Foundation. Sally Gamble and Liz Chapman are representing the board of the Tomorrow Today Foundation: Adrian Aldous, Bill Dobson, Patrick Duffy, Louise Pearce and Nick Taylor. Based in Benalla, they do fantastic work, using local money to do local good. Their particular focus is on education, and their work with kids from preschool right through is making a huge difference to my community in Benalla, so I want to thank you.

Notwithstanding the work of the Tomorrow Today Foundation, there are a number of other philanthropic trusts in Indi, and we had a meeting over the break. I thanked Katrina and Loretta from the Into Our Hands Community Foundation, Robyn from the Marysville Triangle Community Foundation, Glenys from the Border Trust Community Foundation, Marty from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, and Michael and Sarah from the Corryong Neighbourhood House for coming together. The meeting, which was facilitated with great wisdom by Alana Johnson, looked at how we, as a whole electorate, can actually develop philanthropy, working not only in our communities but as a whole. There's work to be done here on taxation benefits and breaks, and there are a whole lot of other things that the government can do to help local giving. So I welcome the Tomorrow Today Foundation. I look forward to supporting you and doing what we can with government to make it easier for you.