Madeleine King (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I would like to congratulate organisations in my electorate of Brand for receiving funding from this government under our Stronger Communities program. I want to congratulate the Seaside Camp for Children at Point Peron, who were awarded $10,000. Formerly known as the Alfred Hines Seaside Camp, this is the first camp to offer camps, getaways and respite for young people with disabilities. The camp has served the community for more than 65 years, and it will use the funds to improve wheelchair access and enable all kids to have a really great time by the beach. Thank you for the work you do at the seaside camp.

Congratulations also to Calista Primary School P&C, who received $20,000. That will fund upgraded playground facilities, including new climbing frames and shade structures. It's a wonderful little school, and this investment will create safer and more enjoyable areas for the kids in this great Kwinana school to play and have fun. I look forward to having a visit—although I must say I probably won't be doing the climbing!

I also want to congratulate Marine Rescue Rockingham, who received $10,000 under the Stronger Communities Program. This funding will enable them to enhance their rescue capabilities by purchasing a state-of-the-art water drone—it's called the Dolphin; I've seen it myself—and a life-size and apparently life-weight manikin for training purposes. Marine Rescue Rockingham do a really fantastic job. About 90 volunteers form boat crews, radio operators and administrative support working 24/7 all year round to ensure local boaties and fishers get some help if they run into trouble. Rockingham and the suburbs around it are some of the areas with the highest boat ownership in Western Australia, and, with an amazing coastline, a lot of people get out on the water. I really want to thank Marine Rescue Rockingham for what they do. I went along to their volunteer thankyou dinner last Saturday, and I want to join in congratulating all the award winners, the life members and all the volunteers for their achievements. Thank you for always, as they say at Marine Rescue, standing by.

The WA Police and Community Youth Centre in Rockingham has received a grant to deliver a project that supports and celebrates Whadjuk Noongar culture. It's a vital organisation that will empower young people and provide social benefits to the wider community.

The CREW in Rockingham has received $9,000. They do remarkable work across Brand, with over 100 regular volunteers providing food and clothing to about 700 people a week. That's going to help them purchase solar panels to support the financial viability of the organisation by bringing down their power prices.

The White Knights Baldivis Cricket Club has also got some funding, nearly $7,000, for installing publicly accessible, fully monitored defibrillators which will be available 24/7. This is crucial life-saving equipment for both the club and the wider community out at the Baldivis sporting hub, which is a great place for the community to gather.