Thursday, 2 April 2026

 Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Minister for Finance, Minister for Government Services) (10:00): In 1989 Bob Hawke was the Prime Minister of Australia and John Cain was the Premier of Victoria, and for the very first time Cathy Connop walked through the doors of Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre. Today is Cathy’s last day. Cathy has just been inspirational. She has been a leader in our community. She has opened the doors to people who have felt locked out, people who have had a mental illness, people who were newly arrived asylum seekers, people who have lost connections with family and friends and people who have missed out on the opportunity of an education.

Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre is a warm, welcoming, inviting place, and it has been because of Cathy’s leadership, her stewardship and her vision that it has been the thing that it has been and has achieved so many great things in my community. Cathy has just been focused and driven. She has put the community before herself at every step of the way, and as a consequence of the sacrifices Cathy has made over 37 years, she has made Flemington a richer, brighter, warmer, more welcoming and safer place. Cathy, I just cannot thank you enough for everything that you have done for our community. There are so many people walking around the streets of Flemington today and in the inner north-west who lead richer lives because of you. Thank you, Cathy.