Thursday, 17 October 2024

 Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (10:10): I am delighted to rise to acknowledge a remarkable local champion. Last week the Cranbourne Girl Guides celebrated Debbi Chamberlain on her 40-year anniversary as one of the group’s leaders. Affectionately known as Possum, Debbi has been a mainstay icon of Girl Guides in the south-east over what has been a lifetime dedication to supporting young women and fostering their empowerment. She told me how Girl Guides has been such a reliable, stabilising influence on her throughout all the joys and all the travails of her life. Whenever she needed them, they were there, and she has been such a powerful force for good in so many young girls’ lives. Last week Debbi turned up to the guide hall as usual thinking that she was there how to teach the group how to change a tyre, but instead it was a well-deserved surprise party thrown by her group to celebrate her 40 years as leader. I was honoured to attend the event on behalf of the member for Cranbourne and join in with the celebration. It is fair to say that Girl Guides groups are one of our best kept secrets. They are a terrific way for young women to learn skills, forge friendships and give back to the community. Congratulations, Debbi.