Western Victoria fires
Juliana ADDISON (Wendouree) (13:11): It has been a huge two weeks for communities to the west of Ballarat who have been impacted by fires. I am so grateful to the hundreds of people who have worked around the clock fighting fires, supporting the firefighters and caring for those evacuated from their homes, in relief centres. Thank you to the Lake Wendouree Football Netball Club, the Wendouree Cricket Club and the Selkirk Stadium for hosting Ballarat’s emergency relief centres. Spirits remained high thanks to the kindness and support of so many wonderful people and amazing organisations. My heartfelt thanks to Ballarat council, Central Highlands Water, Pyrenees Shire Council, Salvation Army, emergency services Victoria, Ambulance Victoria, St John Ambulance Victoria, Agriculture Victoria, the Department of Health, Ballarat Community Health, Victoria Police, Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry, Basketball Ballarat, Ballarat Animal Shelter, Crown Melbourne and Australian Red Cross. Great work by the member for Ripon too. I also wish to thank the volunteers from the CFA and the New South Wales Rural Fire Service as well as Forest Fire Management Victoria. A special shout-out to Wayne Rigg for his work in establishing the base camp.