Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I was privileged to open Barnabas House at Griffith on Saturday. Run by Baptist Community Services, the centre can cater for up to 48 people, offering short- to medium-term shelter, counselling and acute mental health facilities for the western Riverina's most vulnerable. It was the vision of the late Val Rowe, a wonderful woman, whose daughter Melissa Barton gave a moving address to the 100-plus crowd. Barnabas House was made a reality by the passion of Reverend Kevin Webb and the hard work of many volunteers. The generosity of the Griffith business community, particularly Paul Pierotti, was praised at the ceremony.

Lou Revelant fittingly opened the Griffith Foodbarn, a division of Foodbank, which provides food for the needy. We heard from Foodbank NSW business development manager Tony Gatt that Griffith district farmers in the past 12 months have donated 600,000 kilograms of fresh fruit and vegetables to those who could not afford it. Who is going to provide that sort of generosity if the government does not allow our local farmers to do what they do best—grow food to feed a hungry nation? Anyway, well done to all concerned at Griffith. It was a fantastic occasion and shows what community spirit and goodwill can achieve.

Question agreed to.

House adjourned at 17:00

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Hon. BC Scott ) took the chair at 09:30.

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