Josh Wilson (Fremantle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the end of a big year, I want to pay tribute to all the community groups that do such good and important work in my electorate of Fremantle. They provide essential services; they fight for social justice; they enable sports and outdoor activity, including water safety; they sustain our arts and culture; and they deliver environmental protection. These groups in turn depend on thousands of people to give their time, energy and goodwill as volunteers. I particularly thank those who take leadership positions and act as office-bearers. Your community service is vital and it is hugely valued.

In the last few months, I have been glad to assist a number of groups through the Stronger Communities grants program, and today I'd like to mention a few who operate across the four corners of my electorate. The grants in this round included $7,000 to provide air conditioning in the charming but often extremely hot cottage headquarters of the Fremantle heritage guides; $2,850 for a new trailer and lightweight tents to enable the Atwell Scouts to go further into the wild; $20,000 for critical upgrades to the APACE community garden facilities in North Fremantle; and $19,000 to build a new training room at the Coogee Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

I am grateful to all these groups. They form part of the connective tissue that binds together the wonderful communities in Fremantle, East Fremantle and Cockburn. I know they will magnify the value of these grants through their hard work, which of course is a labour of love.