Volunteers

The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (12:13:28):

My question is addressed to the Minister for Families and Communities, and Minister for Disability Services. Will the Minister update the House on how volunteers are being recognised and celebrated across New South Wales?

The Hon. NATASHA MACLAREN-JONES (Minister for Families and Communities, and Minister for Disability Services) (12:13:47):

I thank the honourable member for her question and the great work that she did before coming to this place, particularly with volunteers. This is a great opportunity to thank each and every one of our volunteers. They make fantastic contributions across New South Wales, and have done so particularly over the past couple of years, with bushfires, floods and braving the pandemic. Volunteers have been there every step of the way to lend a hand in our communities. The work of volunteers is vital. They deliver essential services, operate venues, fundraise, make and deliver meals, run community events and festivals, and support people in need. To mark National Volunteer Week in May, I launched the Minister's community heroes awards to thank local volunteers for everything that they do across our communities.

For the past few months a number of members of Parliament have been identifying people in their local communities who are making incredible contributions to volunteering efforts. It has been an honour to be able to attend a number of community heroes awards events, including with the Mark Taylor in Seven Hills, where we acknowledged Karabi Food Bank. It does an amazing job supporting individuals and families in the local community with food packs, which was particularly helpful during the pandemic. The community centre also runs holiday programs to support young people, as well as knitting groups that make beanies for newborns. Kevin Conolly and I acknowledged the Harman Foundation and Sri Om Care in Riverstone. The Harman Foundation runs a support program for the suddenly bereaved and provides support for vulnerable families in the community.

Tanya Davies and I acknowledged the efforts of the local RFS members and police officers who assisted the community in Mulgoa during the floods. I joined Lee Evans in Heathcote to celebrate an evening reception for over 50 volunteers from across the community. We supported and acknowledged firies, sporting clubs and community kitchen volunteer groups. Nichole Overall and I acknowledged the fantastic work of the Queanbeyan Multicultural Centre and their team in Monaro, along with local SES members, the principal of Queanbeyan South Public School and local police officers. Wendy Lindsay and I visited the Bankstown-East Hills Handicapped Association to recognise the fantastic work it does to assist people with intellectual disability. The range of services it provides vary depending on the needs and aspirations of those people with disability.

It has been fantastic to meet a number of true heroes across New South Wales, particularly with this year's theme of "Better Together". Volunteering brings people together. Whether it is support groups or attending natural disasters, volunteers bring everyone together. I again acknowledge all of the fantastic volunteers across New South Wales. They do a fantastic job. I give a shout-out to the numerous volunteers from all sides of politics who will be helping in the coming months in the lead-up to the election. I also acknowledge the fantastic work of my staff—not that they are volunteers. They go above and beyond their duty, particularly in a tough portfolio.

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