Tuesday, 21 February 2023

 Annabelle CLEELAND (Euroa) (13:10): I rise today on behalf of the Seymour community to record our heartfelt gratitude to the Seymour Football Netball Club for their selfless work spearheading the town’s immediate flood clean-up. This was led by Gerard, Sandra and Lyndel O’Sullivan, who epitomise community spirit. Our community is indebted to them for their tireless work in coordinating hundreds of volunteers who cared for locals while floodwaters were still receding.

Many businesses and individuals deserve a wholehearted thankyou for volunteering day after day, week after week, to get the community back on its feet. These include Pro Turf, Tenex Rail, Broadford Bins, Bunnings Seymour, Baracca Lane, IGA Seymour, Kelly’s Country Homes, Maeco Builders, O’Sullivan Builders, Lubeck Plumbing, Little Stones, Inari Sushi, Seymour Hardware Group, Ajay Designer Homes, D & M Contracting, Seymour CFA, Hilldene CFA, Sherwood builders, Cox Solid Civil, Welsh Industries, Australian Trenching and Excavations, Brave Goose Vineyard, MC Cabinets, Wine by Sam and my predecessor Steph Ryan.

Frustratingly, many businesses struggled to access emergency support. I spoke to so many businesses across the Seymour, Murchison and Heathcote regions that were at risk of closure as flood payments stalled. Well over a month ago I contacted the Minister for Small Business requesting the most vulnerable grant applications be expedited, and I stand here still without a response. This lack of interest from the minister has been devastating for some businesses.