Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to acknowledge Rubys Home Store, a phenomenal local small business in Woy Woy, in my electorate of Robertson. Rubys Home Store began when, in 2019, Jane Fonti decided to realise a lifelong dream of owning and operating an online homewares business. A registered and practising nurse of 40 years, Jane has always had a dream for something creative. She was inspired by the Central Coast—the tranquillity of water, sunshine and everything you would typically associate with coastal environments. This love of the coast transfers to her homewares and gift store, where she proudly sells items that she would have in her home. Jane lovingly selects everything in her store and prizes quality over any other principal, which I think is an important priority for any small-business owner.

This year Jane was the recipient of an Australia Post 2023 Local Business Heroes business package. She received a range of support measures to help her online store thrive. To Jane, her husband, Stephen, her son, Sam, and all the other support networks around her: thank you for making our community strong through small business. Good luck with all of your future endeavours, and thank you for everything that you are doing on the Central Coast, not just in the business community but also in the community more broadly. You are truly bringing us together through those networks.