Thursday, 4 June 2026

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Medical Research) (09:46): Horseshoe Bend community garden in Keilor is a place where people come together to learn, connect and give back. That is why I am so proud that our government is delivering $93,000 to support its ongoing restoration and future community-led projects. This is not just an investment in a garden, it is an investment in people. It is about creating a place where families can spend time together, where children can learn and play, where volunteers can share their knowledge and where people can reconnect with nature right in the heart of our community. In a growing and busy urban area, places like Horseshoe Bend matter – they bring people together, they support wellbeing and they build strong community partnerships. It is really important that a place like Horseshoe Bend gets supported, and our Labor government is doing that to make sure this historic site continues to be a thriving community hub for learning, connection and environmental stewardship.

I want to give a special mention to Cynthia Frayne, the president of Horseshoe Bend Community Group, and vice-president Margaret O’Neill, whose outstanding leadership and dedication have helped make this vision a reality. This investment will ensure Horseshoe Bend continues to grow and thrive for many years to come, with more opportunities for people to connect and more community-led projects and environmental restoration, preserving our much-loved local spaces in Keilor and building a benefit for people and the environment. This is a great example of a government backing community passion and delivering real outcomes for local people.