Western Victoria Region community achievements
Jacinta ERMACORA (Western Victoria) (09:50): I am delighted to report to the chamber that there has been a flurry of winners in the south-west community over recent weeks. Building designer Donna Monaghan from Form and Function Building Design won a state design award for her building in Warrnambool’s Dispensary Lane. Donna succeeded in building an old CBD lane back to life. Journalist Andrew Thomson from the Standard newspaper won Journalist of the Year and best print news story. His ability to cultivate contacts was commended by the Rural Press Club of Victoria in Geelong. Warrnambool West Primary School principal Clare Monk was named Outstanding Primary Principal of 2023 at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards. She was praised for transforming Warrnambool West Primary School into a vibrant and successful learning environment. Parkinson’s advocate Andrew Suggett won the 2023 Victorian Senior of the Year award. He established the Warrnambool Parkinson’s Support Group in 2009, cultivating an inclusive environment for those who need support. Finally, Wannon Water claimed a pair of prestigious awards in recognition of their customer and community engagement program. They won both the Australasian and international organisation of the year awards from the International Association for Public Participation. I congratulate these winners and the communities they serve, and I can confirm that Warrnambool and the south-west are an innovative and vibrant community.