Tuesday, 29 October 2024

 Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (13:50): It was my privilege to join the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Wyndham Community & Education Centre recently in my electorate. The centre is one of Victoria’s largest adult and community education providers. Led by CEO Dr Jennie Barrera and team, the centre aims to deliver leading educational, social, cultural and community services, and it hosts a range of community programs in the Wyndham city area. Present on the day was former federal member Julia Gillard, who officially named the centre’s original building the Julia Gillard Community College. Since 2014 the state Labor government has provided $4.2 million to the Wyndham Community & Education Centre, and almost $2.5 million of that was provided for their new building, which I had the honour to officially open on the day. Funded through the Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund, this type of investment in infrastructure is important for our local multicultural communities. It fosters social cohesion and inclusion, ensuring that all Victorians feel a sense of belonging and are free to share and celebrate their cultural heritage. Victorians come from more than 300 different ancestries, speak 290 ‍languages and follow more than 200 different faiths. One in two Victorians were born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas. Our diversity is our strength. It is something Wyndham is proud of. Congratulations to Jenny and the team for a wonderful celebration.