Wednesday, 30 October 2024

 Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (10:03): Gosh, I love CERES. Last week I celebrated CERES and their new community hall. CERES is a cherished environmental education centre. It is a community garden, urban farm and social enterprise hub that fosters a deep connection between Victorians and our natural world. Each year half a million people from all backgrounds visit CERES. Through the Allan Labor government’s investment of over $1.2 million CERES now offers improved community spaces, expanded educational programs and additional job opportunities. The new CERES HQ office, built with sustainable materials, and the refurbished red train, now an inspired children’s space – and perfect for kids parties, I hear – do highlight our commitment to a thriving, inclusive and sustainable community. I even got some time to buy a new plant for my apartment at their ever-popular nursery. Thank you to their chair Andrew Hewett and CEO Cinnamon Evans for inviting me to open these wonderful spaces, and I look forward to working with the incoming chair Nicole Baker. I also want to thank all the amazing, incredible, outstanding volunteers and staff that make CERES such a true gem of the inner north.