Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's my great pleasure to rise in this place and speak about one of the great community organisations in my electorate of Forde. Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women that works through service projects to raise the status of women; to advance human rights for all; to promote equality, development and peace; to work for gender equality; and to say no to violence against women. The members of the Beenleigh branch have, for three decades, made a positive and lasting contribution to our local community and deserve recognition and gratitude. The branch fights well above its weight and has just received the regional Soroptimist award for best practice and best activity for its Little Feet campaign, designed to combat the terrible impacts of domestic violence. Current president, Carolyn Kinniburgh, along with Pat Heck, Vicki Bailey, Jackie Benton, Jennie Breene, Barb Currell, Cheryl Dowrick, Jean Fornasier, Christine Johnstone, Gail Ker, Maree Lubach, Lesley McGrath, Stella Redhead, Gloria Thomson and Libi Coyer are outstanding Australians who work tirelessly and seek nothing more than the feeling that comes with making a difference. They make an enormous contribution to our community every single day.