Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Minister for Women) (10:16): Romsey, your skate park is here. On Sunday I joined around 2000 locals and visitors alike for a massive opening celebration. What a great day, watching kids of all ages skating, rolling, riding and scootering and having massive amounts of fun. It was also a celebration of community spirit. The skate park had its genesis at the Lancefield Romsey Lions Club, and while I want to thank all Lions, with their philosophy of just getting on with it, I want to particularly acknowledge Ged McLaughlin. Quite simply, without Ged we would not have a skate park. When Ged and his wife Wendy approached me with their idea, I wanted to do everything I could to help realise the dream, and with a $950,000 grant from the Allan Labor government, we were able to help the Lions bring to life their vision for a modern, inclusive space where young people can have fun and connect safely in their own community.
I also acknowledge the Lancefield Romsey Lions Club for its more than $166,000 contribution, and of course the skate park was designed and built by locals. A shout-out to Baseplate, Grind Projects and Newearth Constructions as well as Creative Sparks and the Romsey Lancefield community bank and of course all the kids who helped to design the park and the murals and ensure that it is a place that truly belongs to them. This new skate park is more than just infrastructure; it is an investment in young people.