Carina Garland (Chisholm, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Friday 24 October, I was delighted to host my fourth Caroline Chisholm Volunteer Awards ceremony. My electorate is named for Caroline Chisholm, arguably Australia's most famous volunteer. This award ceremony was started in 2001 by my predecessor in Chisholm, Anna Burke. It recognises the difference volunteers make in our community through their service.

In 2025, we received 46 nominations from the community, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all recipients here in the parliament. Thank you for all that you do. The recipients were Leanne Thomas, Jennifer Cameron, the late Ian Scholefield, Christopher Mar, Stuart Redman, Victor Huang, Gino Calandra, Keith Irwin, Barbara Donelson, Norma Shultz, Cao Dagong, Graham Bond, Enio Orlandi, Dr Satha K Sathananthan, Albert Toet, Matthew Hutchinson, Nancy Yang, Margaret Walsh, Elspeth Martin, Kanwal Verma, Subhash Chandra, Luci Haberfield, Clive Allan, Jag Bal, Stuart Amis, Gwen and Ted White, Robert Renshaw, Saleha Singh, Jenny Davies, David and Sandra Brigs, Kath Fisher, Elizabeth Davey, Margaret Panetta, Sam Daniel, Ashley Newell, Justin Wilson, Adelina Vanderzee, Bihong Wang, Trevor Huf, Maureen Balsillie, Janice Yu, Ann Findlay, Michelle Lawson and Scott Munnings. Thank you once again for everything you do for our community.

On Friday 10 October, I had the privilege of attending the Whitehorse Scouting District Annual Report and Awards Presentation night. With 14 groups and more than 1,000 members, including 1st Bennettswood group in my electorate of Chisholm, the Whitehorse District has been very active over the past 12 months. I'd like to put on the record my thanks and congratulations to Whitehorse District commissioner, Liesl Coulthard. Thank you to all involved in scouts and to all those who volunteer, parents and community members, for the incredible contributions made.

It's been a busy time for scouts. On Sunday 12 October, I had the privilege of attending the 13th Malvern Scout Group's annual review and party. The group, which meets in Malvern East, is strong, representing all sections of scouting from Joeys, who start at age 6, all the way through to the Rovers, who go up to age 26. They have around 100 members in the group, including 17 leaders and around 20 adult supporters. They are going from strength to strength. To group leader, Derek Youdale: thanks again for allowing me to share this evening with the group and for all your ongoing work. And thanks to everyone who gives their time to make Malvern Scouts such a strong group.

On Saturday 18 October, I was fortunate to attend the launch of East Burwood Care. I thank all the volunteers from the Burwood Heights Uniting Church congregation, who allow the projects that East Burwood Care undertake to go ahead, and the organisers who have given life back to the facility's over 50 years of service with the relaunch. In only a few months of being open, the volunteers have made an impact that has given faith and confidence to those who are struggling. Whether it be through offering food to those who might otherwise go without or being an ear to those who simply need to talk, you are changing people's lives. For that, you should all be very proud. I'm very proud of you. Thank you again.

On Tuesday 21 October, I attended the Yarrinup parenting program barbecue celebration in Chadstone as part of Children's Week. Children's Week is a national celebration that recognises the talent, skills, achievements and rights of children, and highlights the importance of play, wellbeing and protection. The Yarrinup parenting program is a 12- to 18-month supported accommodation program for young parents who are experiencing or may be at risk of homelessness. Yarrinup has been designed with a therapeutic focus on the importance of building strong attachment between parent and child. It provides a range of specialist services and case management to each family to further develop independent living skills and move out into independent housing at the end of their tenancy. It is quite a remarkable model. To Client Services Coordinator Carly Salter, thank you for all of your terrific work. I look forward to continuing to work together with you in our community.

As you can see, it's been a very busy time in Chisholm—it always is—and it's a great privilege to be able to recognise, here in this place, the achievements of so many.