Aaron Violi (Casey, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to congratulate Belinda Young, a local mum in my electorate of Casey, who is the Victorian state recipient of the Australian of the Year Award in the Local Hero category. Belinda founded the Mums of the Hills Facebook group in 2015, to help mothers in the Dandenong Ranges to connect online and face-to-face. I've met with Belinda to discuss issues affecting our community and ways we can work together, including meeting with the then minister for communications, the Hon. Paul Fletcher, to discuss the problematic mobile and NBN coverage in the hills.

Belinda has provided a steady source of practical support to the community after recent natural disasters, from organising insurance, to bushfire preparedness, to chainsaw workshops, to coordinating storm related information so it's easier to access. She has advocated for better infrastructure and childcare services and met with all levels of government and other stakeholders to help her community respond to and recover from natural disasters.

Belinda worked passionately to provide support, resources and communications during the 2020 and 2021 lockdowns for local businesses and residents, including mental health and food resource directories. She has supported mothers escaping domestic violence and others facing financial struggles, fostering a sense of community and care in the Dandenong Ranges. Belinda is a worthy recipient and a tireless community advocate, and, to me, she is the only choice for the Australian 2023 Local Hero.