Milton Dick (Oxley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise in the parliament today and hold one knitted square. It is a knitted square that was made with much love, just like the 9.8 million squares that have made up 440,000 blankets sent to over 70 countries by over 25,000 volunteers in this country. On Saturday morning I was privileged to visit Aveo retirement village at Durack in my electorate and meet with the ladies and gentlemen who give freely of their time to make these squares, which form blankets that are sent to children and people in trauma right across the globe. I want particularly to acknowledge Daphne Lithgow, an amazing individual who, alongside her hardworking volunteers, gives up her time to make these beautiful knitted blankets to send to those in need. It is a great achievement.

The group within the electorate of Oxley make around 308 wraps a year. I know from listening to their stories—from listening to people like Jenny King and volunteer Betty Amble—that they are so proud of the work they do. Jenny King says it best:

This project makes us feel useful in making wraps for those suffering cold and shock caused by natural disasters of flood, fire, earthquake, famine and continuing poverty, both abroad and at home.

Well done to the knitters! Well done to project Wrap with Love!

See this speech in context