Aaron Violi (Casey, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy) | Link to this | Hansard source

It was an honour to hold the Casey Community Awards this weekend just gone and recognise 52 hardworking and dedicated volunteers in my electorate. I seek leave to present a table of the represented community groups, and to have the list incorporated into Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

I thank the government for that. It's so important that we recognise volunteers. They give so much back to our community. They don't do it for thanks—they do it because they love the community—but they deserve thanks. So thank you to all those volunteers who give their time to support our community. Thank you to their families and friends who support them so that they can support the community. Thank you to everyone who nominated a volunteer, because sometimes our volunteers can feel like their work is not seen and not appreciated. But it is, and we thank you for that.

I also want to thank Nola Sharp, who I was lucky enough to nominate, because she gives so much back to the Wandin community, including the Wandin Toastmasters, Wandin Rotary and raising money for the Biggest Morning Tea. She's also the emcee of the event and does a wonderful job recognising all of the volunteers. So thank you for everything you do, volunteers. I'm glad we could recognise you on the weekend.

I recently had the chance to join Healesville Rotary for a presentation of the Ron Goding Business Excellence Award. This award honours the late Ron Goding, a charter member and past president of Healesville Rotary Club. Congratulations to Healesville based family business Bluegum Metal Workers and Co on receiving the award this year. John, Sue and the Bleumink family established the business in 1990 as a backyard workshop, and have seen it grow into one of Australia's finest steelworks businesses.

Bluegum Metal Workers and Co were selected for their craftsmanship, adaptability and commitment to our community. They give back to our community by sponsoring the Healesville Soccer Club, storing all of the Healesville Christmas decorations for Rotary at no charge, helping with the Yarra Valley Railway volunteer program and providing aid to local elderly people. It's a perfect example of the contributions small businesses make to our community, and it's an honour to Ron Goding, who treated his daily work not just as a way to make a living but as a way to serve our community and society.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 11:47 to 11:58

I recently had the privilege of joining the Our Hills Our Future forum in Belgrave, alongside many community members, local residents, families, industry experts and local businesses. Thank you to Elliot Bell from Bell Real Estate, whose vision brought our community together for this important event, and to all those who supported the forum and attended, including fellow panel members Paul from Mountain Men, Belinda from Mums of the Hills and Yarra Ranges councillor Peter Mcilwain. It was a great opportunity to talk about not only our community today but also how we can work together to build a better community into the future.