Tuesday, 20 June 2023

 Anthony CIANFLONE (Pascoe Vale) (19:14): (226) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Veterans. The action I seek is for the minister to provide the latest update on the steps the Andrews Labor government is taking to provide opportunities and support to veterans across the suburbs of Pascoe Vale, Coburg and Brunswick West.

I was very pleased to have welcomed Minister Natalie Suleyman to visit my electorate on 4 April in her capacity as the Minister for Veterans but also in her capacity as the Minister for Small Business and Minister for Youth. Beginning at the Coburg RSL sub-branch on Sydney Road, the minister was warmly welcomed by sub-branch president Michael Pianta and around 100 other local veterans and sub-branch community members. Originally formed in 1918 the Coburg RSL sub-branch is Melbourne’s oldest continually operating sub-branch and is older even than the Shrine of Remembrance, which was not opened until 1934. For over 105 years to this very day the Coburg RSL continues to represent, remember and embody the service and the sacrifices that have been made by generations of local men and women.

Whether it be through the Boer War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan or various other confrontations and peacekeeping operations that Australians have taken part in, residents from my community and Melbourne’s northern suburbs have always been there to answer the call. Along with many of their names being immortalised on the walls of the Coburg RSL, others have also been remembered through numerous war memorials and honour boards situated throughout my electorate, including at the Coburg Lake Avenue of Honour, Rogers Memorial Reserve cenotaph, out the front of the Coburg town hall on the cenotaph and also the Pascoe Vale RSL. With over 1200 local residents identifying as veterans as per the 2021 ABS census, and as the minister would have been aware through her visit, Coburg RSL members are very keen to hear more about the state Labor government’s various initiatives to further assist local veterans through the rollout of a new veterans welfare card, veterans employment program, the work of the Victorian Veterans Council and much, much more. In doing so I commend the work of president Michael Pianta and all of the wonderful executive and previous executive members and volunteers who over the years have helped make Coburg RSL the best RSL in Victoria potentially. They have done an outstanding job in revitalising the RSL through the introduction of craft beers, food, live music, family events and so much more.

Following the Coburg RSL visit I was pleased to take the minister on a walking tour of Sydney Road in her capacity as small business minister to enjoy the sights, flavours and authenticity of central Coburg, which is the cultural heartbeat of Melbourne’s north. Our first stop at the iconic Zaatar cafe on the corner of Munro Street gave us the chance to meet long-time owners and brothers Jeff and Charlie and to enjoy wonderful coffee and some of their delicious Lebanese and Middle Eastern inspired breads and share plates. Our second stop took us to Pictures and Pages, a local bookshop, to meet with owner Leeann Berger, whose gorgeous little store is nestled in Foleys Mall. Our third stop was the Pie Place, an institution in Coburg that has recently celebrated its 37th birthday and is situated in Walkers Arcade. Meeting with Justin, the Pie Place has the biggest and best variety of freshly handmade pies anyone could ever ask for in the northern suburbs. The final part of our tour allowed us to take a visit through the rest of Sydney Road, pointing out the new Pentridge visitor precinct and other places.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Before I call the member for Shepparton I remind all members to refer to other members by their correct titles.