Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about the great pleasure I had in visiting Angel and Daniel Chichi, who have the not-for-profit Purton Place Pre-Loved Op Shop in Pakenham, which they've been running for the last six years. They've pretty much being dedicating their lives to running this second-hand shop. I pay tribute to and thank Angel and David for their incredible, tireless and immeasurable care they provide to the community of La Trobe.

Not only does their store offer a fantastic array of preloved goods to the public but importantly—and this is where the work they do is so crucial—they provide starter packs for domestic violence sufferers and assist women and children going through a transition after experiencing bad domestic violence. They provide toys for the children and clothing. Any money which comes in when they sell things they actually provide back to the DV families and survivors.

They did receive an award, the Tony Fitzgerald Award, which was presented to them at the Cardinia council's annual white ribbon event. I can't thank them enough for the work they do. They don't do it with any grants, but that's something I'm keen to change in the future. These are incredible people supporting our local community, especially survivors of family and domestic violence.

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