Wednesday, 31 July 2024

 Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Minister for Planning, Minister for the Suburbs) (10:21): I am so delighted to sponsor a story dog named Honey. Honey belongs to Francine Dudfield, who also happens to be a gold medallist from the 2023 Invictus Games for powerlifting, following service in the Australian Army with deployments in the Middle East and South Pacific. Francine volunteers with Honey as part of the wonderful Story Dogs program at Seaford Park Primary. Students read to Honey and Francine in one-on-one sessions every week, giving them the extra support and attention they need to help improve their reading confidence and develop what will hopefully be a lifelong love of reading. Thank you, Francine and Honey, for caring and for making such a difference; and thank you, Seaford Park Primary, for participating in the Story Dogs program and supporting your students to be the best they can be. I encourage all members in this place to consider sponsoring a story dog in their electorate and supporting their students to be the best they can be.