Tuesday, 28 July 2026

 Mathew HILAKARI (Point Cook) (13:26): When I arrived at a community forum recently, they said, ‘Why didn’t you bring champagne, Mat?’ But I had brought something so much better: $1.2 million for the homestead, for restoration and improvement. A much-loved place, it is as old as the Parliament of Victoria. It was built by the Chirnsides, and we are unlocking the gates because that will get people to the homestead and to the beach. We are securing the site because it needs securing. We want to protect our wonderful heritage across our community. We are opening up the homestead with electricity, lights, heating and internet to make sure our community groups can work from there. We are cleaning up the site, and we are restoring the gardens with our wonderful Coastcare and other organisations. A big shout-out to Parks Victoria, Marine Care Point Cooke, NatureWest and so many more who have been engaged in this. We are opening up those wonderful community spaces again. With the weddings in our community that people speak of at the site, their family picnics and their enjoyment, it is so meaningful that we are delivering these funds. They will not do everything, but they will get that site going again. I am so pleased. Thank you, Minister Erdogan from the other place, for delivering that.