Wednesday, 19 November 2025

 Paul EDBROOKE (Frankston) (10:34): Local Frankston resident Barb Godfrey was honoured this year by the President of Timor-Leste for her work and unwavering commitment to the Timor-Leste friendship group community, financially supporting and fundraising to build a small village school, financially supporting the employment of staff for that school and supplying technology and a kindergarten class and staff in recent years. Barb Godfrey is no stranger to anyone in Frankston. She is known for her immense generosity and her love of community, and it is no surprise that this has been noticed across the globe. Congratulations to the wonderful Barb.

While I am on the subject of Barb, I want to put in Hansard some of the history that Barb helped create many, many years ago when the Orwil Street Community House was on the chopping block. It looked like, at that stage, council was going to bulldoze this facility, and Barb was one of the strong proponents for keeping this community house, which is still there today and still strong.

Barb actually stood in front of earthmoving equipment and dozers on this said day and made change in her community that has lasted decades and decades.

This community house has stood strong. It has helped so many people in the community because of people like Barb. For Barb to be recognised across oceans means a lot to our community. She is another Frankston community member kicking goals, a strong community member and a much-loved community member.