Tuesday, 31 March 2026

 Bronwyn HALFPENNY (Thomastown) (13:20): I rise to pay tribute to Lina Hassan, a resident of the Thomastown electorate who has just celebrated 30 years of service with Your Community Health. However, this is not Lina’s only story. Lina lives and breathes community and is a strong advocate for social justice and empowerment and a genuine humanitarian. She practises these values in all aspects of her life and volunteers much of her own time as well. In fact it is sometimes hard to know where Lina’s paid work starts and her volunteering ends. I first worked with Lina as a new MP to organise an exhibition in Queen’s Hall. While we did not know each other well, she helped enormously, organising exhibits for the Victorian Arabic Social Service and traditional dress exhibits and providing advice and much, much more. I see her regularly at events, celebrations and community awareness programs. All of her work is driven by care and concern for others.

No-one can really tell where their life will lead. Lina grew up in Tripoli, Lebanon, and started her working life as an actor after her studies in performing arts. She then went on to study soil testing and chemical science, but this was interrupted by the civil war. Lina migrated to Australia and has worked in many fields, but her passion is community service. Sadly, as I give this statement, Lebanon again is embroiled in war. My heart and thoughts go out to those affected by the Israeli attacks on sovereign nations. Not only do I think of those affected in Lebanon but also of those Australians for whom this triggers the memories of past traumas. Lina’s experience has led her to her passion to support and work with refugee women and families, guiding them through the system, encouraging them to believe in themselves and showing them how to make their way in a new country. I was honoured to attend Lina’s celebration.