Friday, 14 November 2025

 Martha HAYLETT (Ripon) (10:42): This past Tuesday communities across Ripon paused to remember those we lost, those who fought for our country and those whose scars never healed. Thank you to all the RSL sub-branches who hosted Remembrance Day commemorations and to the volunteers who helped lay wreaths on my behalf across Ripon. I was proud to join locals in Majorca, just outside Maryborough, to unveil the new avenue of honour signage on behalf of the Minister for Veterans. It was such a moving moment for the Majorca community and one that had been years in the making, made possible with funding from the Victorian government’s Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues of Honour grant program. I want to thank all involved in making the new signage happen, including Alex Stoneman OAM; Judith Healy and the members of the Carisbrook Historical Society; David Willis, chair of the Majorca public hall; Daniel McIvor, secretary of the Maryborough RSL sub-branch; and Ian Boucher, captain of the Carisbrook fire brigade. It was an honour to join them in remembering the brave local men and women who served our country in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. The new signage will make sure their contributions are never forgotten. I want to thank again the Carisbrook Historical Society, Majorca public hall and Maryborough RSL sub-branch for putting on such a wonderful event. Our communities would be lesser places without volunteers like them.