Thursday, 5 October 2023

Gabriel Carazo

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services) (09:46): I rise to congratulate a remarkable person in my community, Mr Gabriel Carazo, recently honoured as the 2023 Victorian Father of the Year by YMCA Victoria. When Gabriel became a dad, he found himself facing a relatable challenge: a lack of accessible services and support for dads in our community. Rather than accepting this status quo, Gabriel decided to bridge this gap. He founded Responsive and Active Dads, affectionately known as RAD dads, to offer support and connection that is needed in our region.

Gabriel’s dedication to boosting men’s mental health and combating isolation has had a profound impact on the lives of fathers and families in the Macedon Ranges. Gabriel recognised that dads needed a space to come together, side by side, to share experiences and to find solace in the company of fellow dads, and indeed, most importantly, to make new friends. RAD dads is an action group where dads and their children engage in activities like gardening, bushwalking and bike riding. Gabriel’s work takes on even more significance when we consider that suicide in the Macedon Ranges is a real challenge that our community continues to face and disproportionately impacts men. Gabriel’s efforts through RAD dads are crucial in addressing the causes of this distressing impact in our community. I am proud that our government is offering grants for the creation of new – (Time expired)