Ged Kearney (Cooper, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

This morning I wish to highlight two recent important moments for my constituents of Cooper. On Friday 18 October I was greatly honoured to be invited by the Palestinian community to a vigil hosted by PARA, the Palestine Australia Relief and Action group. PARA helps Palestinian migrants and refugees live safe, happy and fulfilling lives in Australia, and is led by Australian Palestinians. Their mission is to feature and strengthen Palestinian voices and to help newly arrived Palestinians settle in. Collingwood Town Hall was decorated with 15,000 kites created by the PARA community to honour the memories of people who have been lost in the conflict and the trauma that lingers on. There was hardly a dry eye amongst us as we learned about their strength, resilience and struggles, of loved ones being torn apart, of futures stolen.

Prior to this vigil, I met with some of the families PARA support and I heard about their homeland and what their lives were like before they left. We shared a wonderful meal together at the Preston Market. For many of these families, it was the first time they'd connected with others who have had to flee Gaza. Together, they are rebuilding their lives in our community, seeking a life of peace and prosperity. These people are human, no different from you and me. They're doctors, IT specialists, students and teachers. They're mothers, fathers, daughters and sons. But, among the stories of horror and heartache, we heard hope—hope for a better life.

This is an issue that everyone in this place knows I feel very strongly about. It's an issue I know my constituents feel strongly about, and I'm proud to come from a community that welcomes refugees with open arms, because together we are stronger.

Secondly, I'd like to congratulate the year 12 graduating classes of 2024, some of whom I've had the pleasure of getting to know over the last few years at Preston High School. The school has continued to thrive since opening in 2019. I want to make special mention of Sean Butler, the principal; and Jessica James, the assistant principal, who have built the school from the ground up. Last month I welcomed my friend and former prime minister Julia Gillard to the school to open a new building that the students voted to name in her honour. It's called the Gillard Building and houses the Tony Birch library, science labs, art and design studios, and multiple classrooms. We also caught up with the Ged Kearney scholars, a group of wonderful young women I mentor to develop their leadership and change-making skills—our future women leaders.

Preston has brought up some of the brightest students I've ever met, and I can't wait to see what these graduates will go on to achieve. I pay tribute to teachers across the entire government school system, especially those in my electorate.

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