Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Manufacturing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Saturday, 6 December, I will be attending a farewell function for Clinton and Trish Wardle, who will be moving on after a decade as ministry team leaders of the Churches of Christ Modbury. The Churches of Christ is located immediately adjacent to my electorate office and, as such, I have developed not only a close personal association with many of its members but also a personal friendship with Clinton and Trish. Indeed, from time to time, my office has used the church premises for community receptions and presentations, and I am grateful to have been able to do so.

As civic leaders and local residents I take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Clinton and Trish for their work in the local area over the last decade. I have no doubt that they have made a difference to the lives of many local people. I particularly acknowledge their welcoming and open door attitude to new arrivals in the area regardless of people's background, nationality, culture or religion—often making available the church facilities to them for their own cultural use. Taking a leadership role in any community is never easy, and Clinton spoke about this in his sermon only a couple of week ago. I have no doubt that Clinton and Trish will be missed by the many friends they have made over the years in my local area and I wish them well as they settle into their new community.