Russell Broadbent (McMillan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Next Thursday will be a great day for Drouin because the Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Mr Peter Garrett, will be coming to Drouin to open the Path of Achievement. This celebrates excellence in sport, recreation, sports administration and coaching in Drouin, Athlone, Ripplebrook, Drouin South, Hallora, Modella, Labertouche, Jindivick, Drouin West and Drouin East.

Originally the funding from the federal government was for about 100 people. Now there are 550 local townspeople being acknowledged for their achievement and dedication to sports, recreation and the arts. Happiest, though, will be Michael Derrick, Dick van Leeuwen, Rod McLeish, Kerry Irwin, Leonie Blackwell, Sharon Rippon and some others who have been heavily involved: James Guerts, Sue Acheson, Merle Rose and Deidre Rose.

This has been a magnificent project from the community that has grown out of all proportion to its beginnings. At first it was just to get rid of graffiti and for the community to have a pathway that reflected the beauty of their surrounds. Now they are going to have something that is absolutely amazing. Minister Garrett will be thrown off his feet when he sees the beds that are burning down there in Drouin for this magnificent achievement by this community for its arts, its program, its sports and its celebration of people.