Tony Smith (Casey, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

In the final parliamentary hours of this 46th Parliament, I want to pay tribute to some wonderful Casey volunteers. All of us in here, I suspect, have had the privilege over our time in the House of Representatives of thanking people who give so much to the local community in so many different ways. I've mentioned many before. I have recently had the privilege of recognising a number of individuals. Over recent years, I have recognised over 300 individuals and 50 local groups across the Casey electorate for their inspirational commitment and dedication to our local community. I recently provided recognition awards to a number of people in the Casey electorate.

What I would like to do today here in this House of Representatives is make mention of five of those who've received special recognition awards for their contributions. These people are the glue of our community, that do so much and that are vital in a democracy where we have limited government in performing services on the ground where they know best. The first is Leonie Turner of Hoddles Creek. Leonie is a long-term CFA volunteer. She's been captain of the Hoddles Creek CFA for a number of years. She created the Hoddles Creek emergency catering crew, which supports the CFA, Victoria Police, the SES and other first responders, and also leads a junior program giving young people in her local area an opportunity to be involved with emergency services.

The next is John Robinson of Healesville. John was nominated by two community groups. He has volunteered with the Healesville Interchurch Community Care—otherwise known as HICCI—for the last 16 years, sharing the role of hall keeper with another recipient who I will mention in a minute, Marilyn King. He's renowned for the jokes and trivia questions he brings to Dinner@Darron's, which is a weekly free community meal in Healesville. As a member of the Rotary Club for 20 years, he's also been involved with many Rotary projects, particularly their Doggie Day Out fundraising event. Marilyn King, who I just mentioned, has also volunteered with Healesville Interchurch Community Care since 2005. She initiated the dinner at Darron's, that free community meal, which she's been doing with John for 16 years. She ensures that all patrons feel welcome and the dinner is run efficiently, and she also supports volunteers who prepare the meal.

Susan Hotton is the volunteer librarian at Yarra Junction Primary School. She's created an inviting library with books which the students have helped select. She manages the library system and plans and facilitates weekly library sessions for prep to grade 6. But it was during COVID remote learning that Susan facilitated weekly live library sessions to keep students connected. I had the pleasure of dropping into the Yarra Junction Primary School in recent days to present the certificate to Susan. It was a big surprise. The school kept it a secret, and the students were delighted to see her recognised.

Hannah Harris, as well as running her own business, always finds time to volunteer for the SES and the Army Reserve. She's developed considerable expertise in radio telecommunications that's resulted in her receiving an Army Commander's Award for excellence for her work in the 2019-20 bushfires.

There are many other recipients. I pay tribute to them all, as I know all of us do in our electorates. Looking at the combined commitment of volunteers right across our 151 electorates, be it on a daily basis or in times of crisis, we can't thank them enough. That's why, in the final hours of this parliament, I want to thank them and, through them, all other volunteers across our wonderful country.