Tony Smith (Casey, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Friday morning I had the pleasure of vising Animal Aid in Coldstream in the electorate of Casey. Animal Aid, which has existed for many years, houses dogs and cats and also offers a boarding kennel and a full veterinary practice service. Founded in 1948 by Alexander and Stella Grierson in Croydon, it shifted to Coldstream back in the year 2000 and has done a wonderful service for the community in all of its time. It raises about $500,000 a year so that it can look after lost dogs and cats and provide them new homes. It does so with the active support of a number of donors and many volunteers over the decades.

On Friday, I was pleased to be able to unveil boards of the donors and of the volunteers who have given so much in recognition. I was pleased to see the former member for McEwen, the Hon. Fran Bailey, there. She is the chairman of the board, along with Glenda Walker. I was also pleased to see the number of hardworking staff who do so much, as well as many of the volunteers, some of whom have volunteered for nearly 20 years. I want to pay tribute to all of the staff, volunteers and supporters of Animal Aid in Coldstream.