Daniel Mulino (Fraser, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

At the heart of strong communities are volunteers. They are the backbone of our communities. This year's National Volunteer Week theme was 'Something for everyone', highlighting the rich diversity of volunteer opportunity, which is as prevalent as ever in my electorate of Fraser and right across our great country.

Last week I was delighted to host a morning tea for the Fraser volunteer award winners. In keeping with this year's theme, our volunteers demonstrate the diversity in volunteer talent. Michael Sposato, President of the Sunshine Heights Junior Soccer Club, won in the sports category for his almost 40 years of contribution to the soccer club. Michael is passionate about young kids in the community having a social and sporting outlet and being bonded by team camaraderie. Michael is the first person at the club every morning for training and game days, and is the last one to leave. In the community category, Gary Collins and Brenton Watson from the Sunshine RSL continuously show their support for veterans and their families, organising social events and many other supports. They work tirelessly on organising events and building up the club. They also provide connections more broadly in the community. Each year the crowds at the Anzac Day and Remembrance Day events are growing.

My electorate has a strong Vietnamese community, so it was fitting that quiet achiever Vinh Nguyen would be awarded the seniors award for his 40-year involvement with the Victorian chapter of the Vietnamese Community of Australia, as well as holding leadership positions in the Lions Club of Melbourne Vietnamese chapter.

Vivi Dangcong received an award in the youth category. Her passion for the arts, stemming from the Australian Vietnamese Arts group, prompted her to lead youth group projects to demonstrate to other young people how to preserve the environment through crafts and also how to preserve many aspects of Vietnamese culture. She also completed a program for young people to appreciate, promote and reconnect with their culture and the community via visual arts and dance.

Last but not least was Poonam Singh, who is devoted to women's equality and founded Women of Brimbank. This organisation connects migrant women and their families through informal gatherings and larger cultural events and festivals. Poonam has been actively involved in coordinating and leading numerous programs aimed at empowering committees, particularly migrant women and survivors of domestic violence. Her volunteering work with this organisation has been ongoing for several years, demonstrating her long-term commitment to making a positive impact.

These award winners demonstrate how volunteers underpin so many activities right across the community. This is true of Fraser and, as I mentioned before, right across Australia. Volunteer Week is an important time for us to recognise people who don't necessarily want recognition but whom it's right for us to recognise. They provide an incredible service to people in our committee who need it the most. Thank you to all of the award winners and all nominees.

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