Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The electorate of Robertson is home to many tremendous not-for-profit organisations. I am pleased to report to the Australian parliament that approximately 19 organisations from my electorate on the New South Wales Central Coast have been successful in receiving up to $5,000 thanks to the federal Labor government's 2023-24 volunteer grants. The 2023-24 volunteer grants supported the work of local community organisations by enabling the inclusion of vulnerable people and promoting awareness to increase participation in volunteering. Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 were available to assist eligible not-for-profit community organisations to support the efforts of their volunteers.

As members of parliament, we understand how important it is that our communities are supported by volunteers. We frequently meet with constituents in our respective electorates and listen to the phenomenal work our dedicated volunteers fulfil. Without these amazing people, our communities, suburbs, towns, cities, states and this great nation would not be able to function. Just recently I recognised the spectacular volunteers at the Ettalong Baptist Church who run the Ministry of Leftovers, caring for vulnerable people on the peninsula. And there are the brilliant volunteers of the Avoca Beach Rural Fire Brigade, who respond to emergencies all across the Central Coast.

The following organisations have been successful in receiving a volunteer grant: Terrigal Rugby Club; Avoca Beach Rugby Club; Avoca Beach Rural Fire Brigade; Terrigal Wamberal Rugby League and Youth Club; MacMasters Beach Surf Life Saving Club; Central Coast Figure Skating Club; Killcare Wagstaffe Rural Fire Service; Umina United Soccer Club; Gosford Kariong Junior Rugby League Football Club; TKT Ocean Beach Netball Club; Umina Bunnies Junior Rugby League Football Club; Killcare Surf Life Saving Club; Avoca Beach P&C Association; Central Coast Junior Rugby Union;    Volunteer Marine Rescue Terrigal;    Southern Spirit Cricket Club; Green Point-Terrigal Community Centre; Care4Coast; and the Peninsula Touch Association.

It has been an absolute pleasure meeting with every single one of these worthy recipients and learning about how these organisations will be putting their funds to good use, supporting and raising awareness of their volunteers. For example, the Green Point-Terrigal Community Centre, managed by the formidable Marie Leadbitter, will use its $4,000 for supporting its 20 volunteers to undertake first aid training as well as mental health training. Both are incredibly important skills for volunteers to possess in community centres. I thank the incredible team at the Green Point-Terrigal Community Centre and all the phenomenal volunteers for their work supporting our great community.

Another organisation I wish to shed light on is the remarkable volunteer marine rescue base in Terrigal. The marine rescue base has been successful in receiving $1,000 from the volunteer grants program, with these funds going towards strengthening the capabilities of the base and its volunteers. The marine rescue base will purchase several cutting-edge battery systems which will ensure continued operations of the base during a power failure caused by weather events and disasters. When I met with the marine rescue base, including unit commander Shaun Smith, they were a group of incredible men and women, young and experienced, dedicated to helping their community during emergencies on our waterways and in our oceans. It was fascinating gaining insight into the operations of the base and listening to the stories about rescues that have occurred up and down the Central Coast. I look forward to continuing to support all marine rescue bases across the electorate of Robertson, and I thank each one of its volunteers for their selfless work.

This month I was also able to meet with Laura Day and Deirdre Flanagan, representatives of the Avoca Beach Public School P&C association. The P&C association have been successful in receiving $2,300 from the volunteer grants program. Laura and Deirdre informed me that the association has already used the funds to purchase a new shade gazebo, which will assist and support its volunteers during school fetes and other fundraising events.

They also mentioned that crucial repairs will completed on the school's several barbecues, which will enable them to put them back to good use during school events.

The federal Labor government is committed to supporting the nation's not-for-profit organisations and their volunteers, and I want to commend all of the successful recipients across the electorate of Robertson that I have mentioned this chamber here today. I know that I and my office look forward to continuing to identify and support more organisations across the Central Coast, because volunteer organisations and these not-for-profit organisations are the backbone of our community and will always have my office's support.

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