Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Members statements

Jack Xiao Zhou

John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (13:20): I want to congratulate a Learn Local Awards finalist in my community of Southern Metro. I visited the Kew Neighbourhood Learning Centre in May to meet Callum Lydiard, the 2022 winner of the Ro Allen Award. It is great to see this community asset being recognised again. I want to highlight Jack Xiao Zhou. Jack migrated to Australia just three years ago for a new life, but when he was knocked off his bike, sustaining horrific injuries, including head trauma, his hopes were in tatters. After surgery and rehabilitation he became depressed, but his life changed when he took an English language class at the centre. It gave him a new sense of confidence and the ability to connect with others. Jack also completed a Jobs Victoria course in product management and was awarded a paid internship at Dulux. I wish him the best of luck at the awards next Friday.