Thursday, 2 November 2023

 Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (14:08): (527) My question is to the Minister for Carers and Volunteers. Can the minister please provide an update on how the Allan Labor government is supporting local volunteer groups such as Bayside Community Emergency Relief in the Southern Metropolitan Region? Last week I had the privilege of visiting Bayside Community Emergency Relief, a 100 per cent volunteer-run charity formed by the community for the community. Bayside Community Emergency Relief were founded with the simple mission of empowering people experiencing hardship and tragedy. During my time there I was witnessing them busy in action in an emergency session organising toiletry packs for homeless women to give to the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency to support women in need. I also had the joy of meeting the incredible founder of the program, Deb Brook, as well as some incredible volunteers working behind the scenes for a fantastic cause. Groups like this are an important part of the building of the social fabric of our communities, and I commend them for their work and look forward to seeing them continue to grow in coming years.