Tuesday, 11 August 2026

 Daniela DE MARTINO (Monbulk) (15:41): If there is one thing that never ceases to amaze me about our community across Monbulk district, from Gembrook to the Gully, Narre Warren East to Wandin East and all in between, it is the deep sense of connection of our people. In the past fortnight I have attended a number of events bringing our community together.

I had the great pleasure of officially opening the Kallista mechanics hall’s renovated kitchen and meeting room. These works were funded through a $50,000 grant from our government’s Tiny Towns funding and $47,000 raised by the wonderful hall committee. An additional $75,000 from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action provided more maintenance to this 113-year-old building, so it can now service the community better than ever. This was evident by the number of locals who turned up on a bitterly cold winter’s night to have mugs of soup by the fire and listen to live music to celebrate the occasion.

It is a happy 40th birthday to Life Activities Club Knox, which has been providing activities and connection for our retired and preretired citizens for all of those years. Judging by the number of attendees in the hall at Underwood Road in Ferntree Gully, it is thriving, with over 200 members. We have this great group to thank for keeping them engaged and active. It was a delight to be able to join them for part of the celebrations.

I also had the soul-nourishing pleasure of attending Voices from the Edge, an inclusive day of music, performance and art focusing on amplifying the voices from First Nations and LGBTQIA+ communities, people with a disability and all abilities and refugee and migrant communities. It was hosted by the wonderful Tecoma Uniting Church. What a beautiful chance it was to listen, learn, connect and celebrate together.

Please indulge me in wishing my beautiful Bella a happy 18th birthday on Friday.