Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last year, Victorians endured a long lockdown associated with COVID-19, and of course it was one of those times where strong community bonds came to the fore, as did people's commitment to support each other to get things done. But, even though the state was in lockdown, it didn't mean that time was wasted.

The Sandringham Bowls Club is a proud institution connecting Goldstein residents, fostering friendship and encouraging mutual interest in the betterment of our community through sport. They used that time to invest in upgrading their infrastructure by building a new terrace. It was a pleasure to join the club's president, Rob Elliot, to officially open their new outdoor terrace only a couple of weeks ago. Construction of the new terrace was assisted by a $10,000 grant from the Morrison government's Stronger Communities Program. Before the setback of Victoria's latest lockdown, the bowls club was buzzing with locals eager to make use of these new facilities.

Community organisations like bowls clubs have helped build a powerful sense of mutuality in Goldstein that underpins the emotional and practical support that residents of Goldstein provide to each other and makes us very proud. Investing in local organisations to build resilient communities and infrastructure to support them is a critical part of what this Morrison government is about. It's not about trying to decide what is best for the country from Canberra but how to empower citizens and communities from the bottom up.

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