Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Bateau Bay Neighbourhood Centre. This local community organisation is spearheaded by a dedicated and passionate team of staff and volunteers, who are truly making a difference to the lives of people in Dobell. In particular, the centre runs a popular Grandparents Raising Grandchildren group, who were kind enough to share with me their experiences and valuable feedback. The group was established to create a friendly, non-judgemental environment where grandparents who are responsible for raising their grandchildren can come along for a cuppa, support and a laugh.

The group provides information on services available to help support those grandparents who take on the difficult role of physically, emotionally and financially supporting their grandchildren. The centre also provides a tool loan library, where home and garden maintenance tools are loaned out to community members who require tools to help maintain their homes. When you add in a kids' disco, a computer hub, a book library, a food store, an op shop, a homework group and a self-esteem team, this is a very busy centre that continually makes a positive difference to the people of the Bateau Bay community.

None of this would be possible without Sheryl, the community development worker, and Ellen, Kelly, Peter, Danny, Wendy and the other volunteers, who dedicate their time to making a positive difference in the Bateau Bay community. This is a community that does it pretty tough and these kids go without a lot. So I congratulate this community group for all the great work that they do.

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