Maroondah Winter Shelter
David HODGETT (Croydon) (09:38): I rise today to speak about the wonderful work that the Winter Shelter does in supporting vulnerable members of our community in the Maroondah area. The Winter Shelter homelessness program runs from June until the end of August. Each night of the week a local church opens their doors to provide a safe place for men who are experiencing homelessness, with somewhere warm to sleep, a shower to get clean, food to fill empty stomachs, companionship and support. Once the winter period is over the Winter Shelter continues their work by providing meals a couple of nights a week for those in the community who are in need. Gitta Clayton, along with over 250 volunteers, works tirelessly to ensure these programs run as seamlessly as possible. A lot of care, consideration, compassion and respect are shown towards all guests who attend. I have had the pleasure of helping a couple of times during the wintertime, and two of my staff volunteer their time regularly to provide the support that is so desperately needed. On the tail end of Homelessness Week, it would be a perfect world if there was not any homelessness. However, the reality of that is far from happening. In the meantime, I thank these kind and caring volunteers who work around the clock to improve the quality of life of those who need a little extra support.