Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Public Accounts and Estimates Committee

Report on the 2024‒25 Budget Estimates

Nicole WERNER (Warrandyte) (10:17): Thank you to the Deputy Speaker, the member for Ashwood, for a very enlightening –

A member interjected.

Nicole WERNER: No, it was enlightening. I thought it was fascinating to hear about the standing orders not changing with the times, and I appreciated his sentiments on it.

I rise to speak on the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) report on the 2024–25 budget estimates, specifically subsection 5.1, as it relates to funding of the CFA. Funding for our emergency services is something that I have spoken oftentimes in this place about. It is something that I am passionate about. It is really key part of my electorate in Warrandyte – the CFA and the SES – and that is what I rise to speak about today.

It was wonderful to recently attend Thunderball, held on 16 August at Bramleigh Estate, and it was a triumph of community spirit. The night raised $80,000 for Manningham SES, and it was more than a fundraiser; it was a celebration of these unsung heroes. Manningham SES leads our region in swift water rescue. They also undertake land-based rescue and storm and flood recovery and support police, fire and ambulance across a wide range of emergencies. The funds from Thunderball will help purchase a new four-wheel drive crew cab to boost inter-agency support, with capacity for marquees, stretchers, boating equipment and specialist tools for missing person searches, crime scene searches, casualty extraction and storm and flood response.

I thank convenor Sandi Miller and the Thunderball committee of Deirdre Diamante, Jeff Hughes, Carli Lange, Margaret Kelly, Mandy Edge, Belinda Mascitti, Jenny Horvath, Don Hughes and Zeus for their tireless work. I also thank our generous supporters Mary Anne McPherson and Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte Riverside Market, Warrandyte Lions, Warrandyte Donvale Rotary, Manningham city, the community banks of Warrandyte, East Doncaster and Templestowe Village, 42K Media, the Manningham & Nillumbik Bulletin, Quintons IGA Warrandyte, the Grand Hotel Warrandyte, Jellis Craig, Ruby Tuesday Jewellery and Milwaukee. As you can see, there are a lot of generous people in our electorate of Warrandyte – and a special acknowledgement of the Michael Parker Foundation for pledging the additional $10,000 the Monday after the event, taking the total that was able to be donated and fundraised for Manningham SES to $80,000 – really amazing stuff. Thunderball will return in 2027 to raise funds for Nillumbik SES to replace its road accident rescue vehicle. To every SES volunteer who turns out day and night in all conditions, thank you. Our community is safer because of you.

I speak to the PAEC report, again pertaining to the funding for emergency services. This time of year I am always honoured to join our local CFA crews for their annual brigade dinners.

It is always wonderful to join with volunteers, families and supporters who come together to celebrate another year of dedication and service to our community. It is a wonderful opportunity to recognise not just each brigade’s tireless commitment to emergencies but also their amazing work in our community and to be able to acknowledge their families.

It was wonderful to join Wonga Park CFA for their annual dinner and to celebrate the achievements of their members. Congratulations to captain Aaron Farr and to all award recipients: Luke Brown, Aaron Gill, Luke Summerscales, John Greenwood-Smith, Jacob Lee and again Aaron Farr, with 1500 turnouts as well as being the captain, Peter Dick and Shamus Gillen.

I was pleased to join members, families and supporters at Chirnside Park CFA’s 10-year anniversary dinner. In just a decade the brigade has made an extraordinary contribution, serving our community with distinction during emergencies such as the Montrose and Grampians fires and being recognised with honours for their courage and commitment. Thank you to former captain Ben Cash and new captain Paul Simpson. I look forward to seeing you at your open day, where I and the member for Casey in the federal Parliament will be dunked in the dunk tank. That will be fun.

I was delighted to attend the South Warrandyte CFA annual dinner. The professionalism and courage of the brigade are notable, whether it be responding to bushfires, house fires, motor vehicle accidents or medical emergencies. A special thanks for the evening to organiser Laura Simos as well as captain Cameron Mackay and president Trish Cridland. Thank you for everything that you do at South Warrandyte CFA.

As I speak about South Warrandyte CFA, I must shout out the Grand Warrandyte, which this weekend celebrates its 130th birthday. It is an institution and an icon in our community where locals can go for everything from Friday night beers with the boys to first birthday parties. We celebrate with you today.