Wednesday, 22 March 2023

Members statements

Western Victoria Region community members

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (09:41): I rise today to congratulate a number of my constituents who are committed to community advocacy, education and engagement.

Chloe Brown, Lucy Collins, Renata Cumming and Jess Brown make up the organising committee of Cream of the Crop 2023, the second year of a conference in Koroit and Warrnambool that brings together women in dairy farming from across Victoria. It provides not just a forum for upskilling and promoting women in agriculture but a great opportunity for women in the dairy industry to connect and reflect.

Port Campbell’s Marg O’Toole uses her love of ocean wildlife and extensive diving experience to encourage and educate many in the community about marine life, whether it be through Coastcare, rock pool walks, beachcombing or diving exploration in special places like the Arches Marine Sanctuary and the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park.

Josh Hose from Camperdown has been a powerful advocate for disability access on public transport over many years. I am so pleased to see that Josh has been added to the Victoria University hall of fame, having been an Olympian in the London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo games. His international sporting career includes track events and basketball, and his day job is ongoing evidence of his determination to educate and support people to live well with spinal injuries.

These are fantastic contributions, and I congratulate and thank all of them.