Anika Wells (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week, as the federal member for Lilley, I was very pleased to have the opportunity during National Volunteers Week to recognise the exceptional service of 40 volunteers across our northside community. The annual Lilley Volunteers Awards breakfast, which was held at the Geebung Bowls Club, is our way of saying thank you to volunteers, to leaders, to mentors and to organisations whose work is often performed quietly behind the scenes but whose impact is felt right across Lilley. Through service, leadership, advocacy and practical support, each recipient has made a meaningful difference.

It was wonderful to honour young recipients like Clara Scott, age 11, of Chermside West, who has already contributed hundreds and hundreds of hours of volunteer service to her community through school events, through reading support, through the Chermside & Districts Historical Society projects, through scouting and through Parkrun; and Archie Dutschke. Each week, 16-year-old Archie gives his time to Auskick at the Aspley Hornets, encouraging younger children as they build skills, teamwork and confidence through sport. His reliability and quiet leadership have made him an invaluable part of the team at the Aspley Hornets, and we appreciate him.

In contrast, we also honoured 16 northside residents for the Elaine Darling Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Awards who have collectively given hundreds of years of service to their respective communities and organisations. These are people like 90-year-old Mavis Baxter from Wavell Heights, who began volunteering at the tender age of 16 at Norths rugby league club and has continued serving her community for decades across sporting and historical organisations like Nundah amateur swim club and the Nundah & Districts Historical Society in her later years. Her lifetime of selfless service, including recognition through life memberships at several organisations, reflects a remarkable legacy of contribution to her community.

There is also the late Beverley Donaghey. For three decades, Bev was a driving horse driving force behind the Boondall Synchronized Ice Skating Club. As president, she helped shape the club. She helped promote the sport locally and beyond as an international team leader for Australia. We celebrate Bev's extraordinary contribution and we farewell her with gratitude.

At the awards breakfast, we also welcomed some of the nearly 30 not-for-profit organisations who will share in over $66,000 thanks to the 2026-2027 Lilley volunteer grants program, funded by the Albanese Labor government. The successful applicants were selected from nearly 60 expressions of interest. The Lilley volunteer grants recognise the vital role volunteers play in building resilience and cohesive communities. Grants of up to $5,000 will be delivered via the Department of Social Services to help community organisations to support their volunteers.

Congratulations to all the award winners and to the successful grant applicants. We really appreciate you.

Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 193, the time for members' constituency statements has concluded.