Sarah Witty (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For more than 40 years, the Urban Camp in Parkville has opened its doors to people from all across Australia, welcoming them in to experience the very best of Melbourne. Urban Camp turns the traditional camp on its head, inviting kids from the country into the city to experience what Melbourne has to offer in the same way that kids from the city head into the bush. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Urban Camp. What stood out to me was the heart of the place. It was more than just a place for kids to sleep. It was a gateway to Melbourne. It opened Melbourne up to school students, sporting groups, community groups, disability groups, regional families and interstate visitors. It brought children into Melbourne to visit our theatres, our museums, our laneways and our sporting precincts and connected it with organisations like the Big Issue Classroom, helping young people engage with stories of resilience and disadvantage in ways which stay with them long after they return home. That is what makes it so special.

A sporting group can come into the city and watch a game at the G or feel the heart of Melbourne's sporting precinct. For the disability community, it might be a young person building confidence away from home for the first time, learning new skills, making friends and gaining independence in a safe and supportive environment. It also provides support for families and carers, giving them the opportunity to recharge in the knowledge that their loved ones are supported. Programs like this strengthen not only the individuals but the entire families and communities that love them. That is what Urban Camp does. It makes the possible practical. That matters because fairness is not only something we talk about in this place; it's something that families should feel in their everyday life.

Each year, Urban Camp welcomes thousands of visitors through its doors, and each year it operates at capacity. That tells us the need is real. It tells us schools and community groups are looking for an affordable way to experience Melbourne. It tells us regional and interstate communities want to be part of culture and sporting education life in our city. It tells us that Urban Camp has built something trusted. But it also tells us there's an opportunity to do more. Urban Camp wants to expand so it can welcome more groups, more students, more community organisations and more visitors into Melbourne. I support that work because Melbourne is a city that welcomes people in. That is the Melbourne I love—a city of laneways, libraries, footy scarves and theatre curtains, a city that says, 'Come in, have a look and be a part of this.' So thank you to Urban Camp for the work you do, and thank you for the kids that have come to enjoy Melbourne.