National Volunteer Week
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (09:59): It is volunteers week next week, and let us all give a shout-out for the wonderful difference that everyone makes in our communities. From first responders to those that restore and clean up our environment, every single facet of our communities is made better by volunteers. My guests in Parliament today are Latrobe Valley royalty. Alf and Stella Vella have run the Gippsland Motorcyclists Toy Run for a quarter of a century, and today we are going to launch the 25th run. It is done in style. It leaves Nefertiti Court in Traralgon and is done on the back of many Harley-Davidson motorbikes. Over the years, every year 2000 children receive gifts that have been supported through individuals, sporting clubs and businesses right across Gippsland. I know Alf and Stella’s mantra is ‘We can’t do everything well, but we can do one thing well.’ They do this with the most graciousness, kindness and love for their fellow human beings and to see the children smile on Christmas Day. Toys are distributed through the Salvation Army. I congratulate them on their kindness and congratulate all of our volunteers who make such a difference to our communities next week for volunteers week.