Hawthorn electorate small businesses
Mr KENNEDY (Hawthorn) (14:08): Today I would like to speak about the superb small businesses that call Hawthorn home. I recently had the pleasure of meeting with the traders of the iconic Glenferrie Road shopping strip with the member for Werribee and Treasurer at the terrific Le Clec cafe. Small businesses are the livelihood of our communities, and businesses like those on Glenferrie Road serve as real hubs not just for shopping but for meals and conversation. The cafes are constantly bustling with students, and the shops are frequented by customers from miles away. After all, over $129 million in COVID support payments were provided to Boroondara businesses during the pandemic.
These businesses were showcased recently when the Glenferrie Traders Association held the incredible Glenferrie Festival, with estimated foot traffic of around 100 000 people. Whilst plenty of politicians attended—surprise, surprise—it was my pleasure as the member for Hawthorn to converse with so many of my wonderful constituents. I found people especially enamoured of the presence of model trains at my stall, showcasing the unique Victorian appreciation of public transport.