Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a great pleasure that I had the opportunity to attend the launch of the South East Campus at the Crossway Baptist Church. I congratulate Senior Pastor Dale Stephenson and Campus Pastor Bill Malcolm. Also, on the day, we had Councillor Morland there, who had just received an OAM. Congratulations, Mick. The congregation was very excited. This was a fantastic occasion, with over 300 people there. They have moved across from the 9,000 active members, including 3,000 members online, at Burwood.

All the churches in La Trobe do a fantastic job, but I congratulate Crossway for bringing their unique COACH program to La Trobe. This is a buddy like system which aims to help families and youth through financial and emotional times of stress; it is much needed assistance. As members of parliament in government, we cannot provide a 10-week mentoring program but that is precisely what Crossways are planning to do. They are planning to help families right across La Trobe deal with financial burdens, emotional stress and, sadly, drug use, domestic violence and relationship breakdowns. It is compassionate and kind people like those at Crossway who make our world a better place for our generation and future generations to come. Congratulations and well done.