Lyn McKinnon
Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing, Minister for Creative Industries) (09:45): I rise today to honour Lyn McKinnon, a woman who has dedicated over 40 years of her life to serving our community through tireless volunteer work. Lyn has volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Diamond Valley Foodshare, 3081 Angels, the Country Women’s Association and the Whittlesea pensioners association, as well as helping out other community organisations when there is a need. Lyn’s meaningful work has directly and indirectly supported thousands of families doing it tough. Lyn works especially hard every Christmas. For 17 years she has helped pack and deliver over a hundred Christmas hampers for families not so fortunate, often taking on the heaviest lifting and the longest hours herself.
Humble, kind and endlessly generous, as described by those who know her, Lyn has never sought recognition or thanks. She simply shows up every year helping the community, as she firmly believes everybody deserves a fair go and a helping hand. Her empathy, compassion and reliability make Lyn a cornerstone of our local community. Thus it was fitting and much deserved that Lyn was recently honoured with the Banyule Lifetime Contribution volunteer award, recognising her outstanding lifetime of service to others. On behalf of my local community, I extend heartfelt congratulations and thanks to Lyn for making our community a better place.