Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to acknowledge the generosity of my local community during my recent winter appeal. Each winter, my office acts as a drop-off point for donations of food, beanies, scarves, blankets, toiletries and animal food. The donations go to vulnerable members of the local community who are struggling over the cooler months. This year, I've been absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity of our community. Over 90 individuals and 20 community groups have brought in donations. Many of these people were not well off themselves but have given what they can to help those in need.

Throughout the appeal there have been some truly heartwarming stories of kindness and generosity. Before my office had even put the word out for this appeal this year, I had community members who had been knitting and crocheting blankets, beanies and scarves all year, asking if they could drop them off. One woman, who has a hearing impairment, brought in hand knitted scarves and beanies she'd been working on for some time. Another woman, who had crocheted at least 10 blankets, said she crochets to exercise her arthritic hands. The students and their families from Morphett Vale East Primary had an end-of-term drive for donations, including a 'wear your pyjamas to school' day, which raised extra money for the appeal. And the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's Association brought in car loads of donations generously provided by members of their association. The residents of Moana Mews Retirement Village also generously put together donations.

Many sporting clubs got involved too: Christies Beach Surf Life Saving Club donated sorely needed toiletries. Other local groups and organisations that donated included the 1st Reynella Scout Group; Aldinga Knitters and Hookers for Charity; Coorara kindy; The Cove Sports and Community Club; Cove Tigers Netball Club; 50 plus Activity Club from O'Halloran Hill; Fleurieu Peninsula Family History Group, Goodstart Early Learning Childcare Centre Sheidow Park, in Hutt Close; Lions Club of Hallett Cove; Neighbourhood Watch group 57 Morphett Vale; OzFeathers; Port Noarlunga Bowling Club; Seaford Meadows Early Learning Centre; Spectrum Art Group; Stepping Stone Morphett Vale and Wakefield House. Thank you, thank you for all the efforts of our community and to the groups and to the individuals. We made an unprecedented amount of donations to local charities in our area.

I extend a deep thanks to every person and community group, because your contribution made a difference. We make sure that we ensure, as closely as possible, that these donated items go to our local area for our local community. Together, we have helped people in our community stay warm and put food on the table. Thank you again.