Barmah Food Shack
Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (13:27): I am using my members statement today to dedicate it to the compassionate and hardworking volunteering couple Dean and Kylie Adams of Barmah. Dean and Kylie set up the Barmah Food Shack in early 2023, just after the 2022 floods. The little shack, no bigger than a small garden shed, provides food and necessary goods to the local community members who are doing it tough. Food donations from Cobram food share, rescued food from Aldi and Sutton’s Bakery in Echuca–Moama, locally grown oversupply from local gardens and even ARC pet food donations ensure that Barmah residents and their pet companions do not go without a meal each day. I was there for an hour recently, and in that short time the Barmah Food Shack provided food to 64 people alone. It is estimated that up to 770 people receive nutritional aid from this community service each fortnight. Both Dean and Kylie personify the generous community spirit that is on display throughout regional Victoria. On behalf of my constituents I salute their tireless work for the local Barmah community.