Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As Christmas Day approaches, I acknowledge a team of very dedicated volunteers who organise and conduct the Joondalup Christmas lunch in Central Park. The event is open to local residents who have nowhere to go on Christmas Day, have no family nearby, are lonely, experiencing hardship or are otherwise isolated on Christmas Day. On behalf of the parliament, I recognise the outstanding contributions by long-serving chairman, Steve Haskayne, as well as Tracey Haskayne, Jeff and Margaret Fullelove, Barry Sampson, Sue Blackney, Lesley DeGrussa, Ken Wallis, May Murphy, Kim Gallyer, Kylie Sampson, Pauline Sookoll and Jan Gilbert, and their team of volunteers from local churches.

The number of people attending has grown from 250 at the inaugural event in 2008 to 500 guests this year sitting down to a Christmas lunch served buffet style in a decorated outdoor setting, with entertainment, music and activities to provide festive cheer. I have sponsored the event for five years now, and have met a range of people, including senior citizens living on their own, single-parent families and international students living away from their families. The Joondalup Christmas lunch unites our local community by promoting social inclusion. Let us continue this tradition.