National Volunteer Week
Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:59): In this National Volunteer Week I would like to acknowledge, congratulate and express my deepest gratitude for all of the volunteers throughout my electorate of the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region. Some of the dedicated and selfless volunteers I have had the privilege to work with over the past few months include Ann and Graeme Taylor, who have headed up the Beaconsfield Progress Association for over 20 years and are responsible for the wonderful Anzac Day service and the publishing of the Beaconsfield Banner. The protection of the Beaconsfield railway house was also largely the result of Beaconsfield local Fran Healy, who initiated and led a very successful campaign, which resulted in the protection of the historic stationmaster’s house and bunya bunya tree. Thelma Thompson at 80 years of age leads National Trust of Australia volunteers and has turned the Casey–Cardinia National Trust gift shop into a thriving small business that raises funds for the National Trust to preserve our built and natural heritage for future generations, and I encourage all members to check out that shop when they are next in Berwick. There are local environment groups like the Cardinia Environment Coalition, which relies on funds raised through its own plant nursery in order to maintain six nature reserves throughout Cardinia, including the 172 hectares of the ecologically and culturally significant Beaconsfield Nature Conservation Reserve. If I had more time, I would talk about many more of our amazing people in the community, such as Liesel Kippen, Peter Cahill and Jack Lyons, but I would like to close by mentioning as well Rob Hansen and Bob Taylor, who very successfully advocated on behalf of their sportsground in Upper Beaconsfield.