Mr MATT KEAN (Hornsby) [5.29 p.m.]: Tonight I am delighted to recognise all the hardworking volunteers throughout the State who selflessly give their time to make the community a better place. Volunteers play a vital role in our community and help revitalise connections between people. They make our communities richer and stronger, and I take this opportunity to thank them for their contribution.
Last week as part of National Volunteer Week I joined four local volunteer service providers to experience first-hand their impact on our community in Hornsby. Volunteers come from all walks of life and contribute to their preferred charity or community group in a variety of ways. National Volunteer Week has been running since 1974 and each year recognises the six million volunteers across Australia who contribute over 700 million hours of community service. These valuable achievements occur in a range of different societal areas, such as community health care, environmental conservation, emergency services, education, social justice and sports.
To recognise these community achievements and join in the fun for National Volunteer Week I invited the Hornsby Advocate's new editor, Brenton Cherry, to accompany me to visit four local community groups. We started the day with a visit to Hornsby hospital where we were given a tour of the aged care and stroke rehabilitation wards. We then joined Hornsby hospital's famed Pink Ladies, who visit patients and distribute books on their daily book mobile run. I thank Hornsby hospital's manager, Greg Lill, and the two Pink Ladies Marion Paul and Joan Clayton, who guided us on the day. Both ladies have volunteered at the hospital for over 20 years—an exceptional contribution of public service to our much-loved hospital. They have made many friends, including their own friendship. I thank them for the tremendous difference they have made to our community. I place on the public record also the Pink Ladies known to me, including Jen Muggleton and Peta Reedy, and various others I cannot name today.
I thank them all for their contributions to our hospital. Their efforts have hugely improved the socialisation of patients over the years since this community service began more than 30 years ago. Judging by the smiles on patients' faces, it is easy to see that this initiative deserves plenty of recognition. My volunteering day continued at Hornsby Meals on Wheels where Brenton and I met manager Jacqui Lyons. We were sent on a local food run with team driver Mario Di Bernardo. Together we visited seven houses in the Hornsby and Normanhurst areas where we stopped to talk and drop off meals. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Mr Di Bernardo was given the opportunity by his employer, National Australia Bank, to volunteer once every two weeks through the company's Volunteer Community Service program. I take this opportunity to thank the National Australia Bank for its outstanding contribution in encouraging its staff to give back to society and help charitable organisations where possible.
After returning from delivering meals, we then visited Hornsby's St Vincent de Paul organisation. This longstanding charity is close to my heart as my grandfather was a volunteer truck driver with St Vincent de Paul before he died. We met Dianne Sewell, who took us on a tour of the centre and showed us where all incoming goods were sorted and then prepared for display on the shop floor. I was fortunate enough to spend some time talking to the manager and cashier, who spoke about the organisation's growing needs in the Hornsby community. This visit was a welcome reminder that the New South Wales Government must continue its work in supporting charitable organisations, such as St Vincent de Paul, to help us reach so many desperate families, particularly in times of economic hardship. It is further proof that when the Government works in tandem with the private sector so much more can be achieved in reaching families who need financial and material assistance.
My final visit as part of the volunteering program included a stop at Hornsby Bushcare in Berowra. This was a great opportunity for me to roll up my sleeves and help hardworking community members who have assisted Hornsby Shire Council officers in conserving and rehabilitating publicly owned natural bushland. Team leader Mick Marr, who is a bit of a local icon, told me that currently over 850 Bushcare volunteers are registered in the Hornsby shire. These community volunteers work on over 130 local sites and have assisted council since 1989. They make such an important contribution to our shire, known as the bushland shire. I thank each and every volunteer I met as part of National Volunteer Week and also those I meet as I go about my business as the member for Hornsby. Volunteers play a vital role in serving our community. Their hard work and selflessness has helped shape our communities and the wonderful country in which we live. Volunteers make an enormous contribution and give up so much of their time. They certainly make a huge difference and make our State a better place.
Read the full transcript in Hansard here.
