David Moncrieff (Hughes, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In July, I was really excited to be able to attend the opening of the Waratah Park upgrade on behalf of Minister Kristy McBain. The park is another fantastic facility for families in the Sutherland Shire. It's a park that reflects the unique history of our area, and it is going to provide many benefits to our community's children and the next generation for many years to come. The Sutherland community has advocated for a long time for increased access to playgrounds, especially ones that reflect the diverse needs of our growing community, and there was a real joy in the community as this government has been able to deliver for them, thanks to $1.2 million in funding from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program that went towards Waratah Park playground through Sutherland Shire Council. It's just another example of how the Albanese Labor government is delivering for the Hughes community and delivering much-needed infrastructure right across the country. I want to thank Minister McBain for her commitment to the program, which is making a real difference in my community.

The Waratah Park followed the highly successful all-abilities playground at Cooper Street, Engadine, which opened just over a year ago. I drive past that park quite regularly and I've rarely seen it empty. It has been great to see the success and popularity of this inclusive facility, with families with all abilities enjoying it. That success has been replicated at the Waratah Park since its opening.

What I love most about Waratah Park, apart from the inclusive nature of its all-abilities status, is the incorporation of the local elements—things like the native waratah flower and the Sutherland-Cronulla steam tramline which has been incorporated into the equipment at the park. At the opening, it was great to see the children passing through this icon of New South Wales, the waratah, our state floral emblem. As a bit of a public transport nerd, I love that part of our local transport history is being recognised with the Sutherland-Cronulla tramline being reflected in it.

I want to thank the Sydney Tramway Museum, just across the road from the new park, for their additions to the park, including real artefacts from the tram heritage of Sydney. I also want to thank the Menai Men's Shed for their contribution to the park. They built a miniature tram stop, including a ticket station and a 'next tram' display. I know that the kids of the shire will be enjoying this fun piece of equipment for decades to come. I'm so happy that they'll have this link to the heritage of the area as they grow with the community.

Thank you to our mayor, Councillor Jack Boyd, the D Ward councillors, especially Diedree Steinwall and Peter Tsambalas, and the staff of the Sutherland Shire Council for all your work on this project, and thanks again to Minister McBain and the Albanese Labor government for delivering for the people of Sutherland.

In June, I was lucky enough to attend an event for the Ingleburn RSL, which has been a stalwart of the community for generations. Recently, it celebrated 50 years at its Chester Road location. The CEO, Glenn Cushion, and the board of directors welcomed life members, sub-branch executive and members, 50-year members and guests, including the mayor of Campbelltown, Councillor Darcy Lound, to attend this memorable event celebrating this fantastic milestone. I want to thank Glenn, the board and Councillor Lound for some great stories on the history of the area and the club's positive impact on the community. One of those stories that stood out to me was that the Chester Road location was opened by the local member at the time, a young man by the name of Gough Whitlam, who also happened to be the Prime Minister.

But this wasn't just in time for self-congratulations from the club. Like the community that they are, the club used this milestone to give back. As part of their commitment to the community, they donated a total of $50,000 to five incredible local organisations: the Formal Project, Lifeline Macarthur, the Top Blokes Foundation, the Rotary Club of Ingleburn and the Campbelltown Domestic Violence Committee. Each received $10,000 to continue their vital work within our community, and I know that that money will make a real difference to the lives of those that are helped by those fantastic organisations. Congratulations to Glenn and the team from Ingleburn RSL for reaching this fantastic milestone and, more importantly, for the 50 years of giving back to the community. Here's to the next 50 years of Ingleburn RSL.