Thursday, 18 May 2023

 Pauline RICHARDS (Cranbourne) (09:57): I am very pleased to have the opportunity during National Volunteer Week to recognise the great altruism of the Cranbourne community. There are so many people I have the opportunity to think about and acknowledge during these important times, but I would like in particular to recognise Rabia Safa. Last week I got to spend time with Rabia as she spent time teaching people how to use computers and speak English. Some people were newly arrived in Australia and some people had been here for a long time. I am very grateful to Rabia.

I was also very pleased to have some time with Lindi Ndebele. Lindi runs a sewing group. Many of the people are from Zimbabwe, and the group of women come together with terrific joy and care for each other. I am always impressed by the way that people can share their stories and be so generous.

I was also pleased to be with the South Sudanese-Australian Academic Society for their homework club and spent time with Andrew Gai, as I often do, as we taught so many young children how to sit down and enjoy the pleasure of reading and learning to be together.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the Casey Rainbow Community during both Volunteer Week and IDAHOBIT. We are so conscious of the tremendous work and their importance. We see you, we love you, we acknowledge you. It has been a difficult time, and the work that the Casey Rainbow Community does is terrific.