Wednesday, 31 July 2024

 Paul MERCURIO (Hastings) (10:43): I would like to sincerely thank the Premier for taking time out of her busy schedule to come down to my electorate during the winter break. I was very happy and proud to take her to Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association gathering place to meet with elders, staff from the bush nursery and young leaders. I have spoken about Willum Warrain many times in this place, and I will speak about it many more. It is a very special and spiritual place of healing based in Hastings. When you go there you cannot help but feel the strong spirit emanating from the land and the strong spirit of elders past and present that emanates throughout. It was a terrific visit, and I was very happy to see the Premier genuinely feel and embrace the spirit and peace that is Willum Warrain.

We also visited Somerville Recreation Reserve, which recently received a $300,000 grant in this year’s budget. The grant will be split between four clubs at the reserve: the tennis club, the bowls club, the football club and the cricket club. I would like to thank everyone who came down to meet the Premier and especially club presidents Karyn Dickens from the tennis club, Samantha Merks from the seniors football club, Debbie Demooy from the junior football club, Ron Arnold from the bowls club and Adrian Ridout from the cricket club, and also past presidents of the footy club David Livingstone and Peter Alp. There was much talk and laughter, a snag on bread – with the onion on the top – and the Premier had an impromptu bowls lesson. Thank you, Premier, for your generous time.