Sharon Bird (Cunningham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to extend very joyful congratulations to a social enterprise in my electorate, Green Connect, which is an organisation headed up by General Manager Kylie Flament. I congratulate her and the whole team—volunteers and staff. They were the only Australian recipient of the Commonwealth Secretary-General's 2021 Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards. This is a fantastic initiative. As the team said on their Facebook post:

The Green Connect farm was built by the community for the community to create jobs, reduce waste and grow fair food, and is now being highlighted at a global level as an example of best practice in sustainable development.

It's truly amazing. The Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley, who comes from our part of the world, congratulated the team on the award and made the point that they have built an 'impressive, innovative model that reduces waste, improves sustainability and increases connection in the community.'

Green Connect grow 92 types of fruit and vegetables. They provide employment opportunities for young people who face barriers such as mental illness, drugs or violence at home and also for refugees in our area, who are bringing their farming skills to such a great initiative.