Hastings electorate community events
Paul MERCURIO (Hastings) (09:58): I had such a great week last week that I wanted to share some of it. On Monday I caught a bus with the mayor of Mornington Peninsula shire from Somerville to Hastings. We were able to talk to regular bus users and get an idea of the good, the bad and the ugly of the service. On Tuesday I had my third principals morning tea, which reinforced how important these events are for the principals, where they share ideas between each other and, importantly, talk about possible solutions to some of their issues. Later that day I met with Frankston City Council to talk about local issues, and then in the evening I met with members of the Australian Education Union to talk about some of their issues and what solutions we might find. On Wednesday I was honoured to open the 35th annual meeting for the Polio Network Victoria. The theme for this year was ‘Stayin’ Alive’. I had no idea that we still have people suffering the consequences of polio, not just in my electorate but in Victoria. Friday was World Teachers Day, and my office staff and I delivered 1446 cupcakes – one for every teacher and staff member at every school in my electorate – to say thank you for the commitment they give to our children and their future. That afternoon I was invited to Somerville Rise Primary School’s colour run. I have never been to a colour run; I had no idea what it was all about. It was an enormous amount of fun, and I definitely got completely slimed. It was a great week to be out and about in my community.