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

There are many beautiful parts of my electorate of Casey, and one in particular that I'd like to talk about today is the wonderful Upper Yarra. I had a chance in the last week to spend some time at quite a few community events, including the general meeting for the Community Economic Development Association at the Carriage Cafe in Seville. It was a wonderful chance to hear from the Cog Bike Cafe on how they're using bike tracks to drive economic development in our area and, importantly, to engage the community.

It was also wonderful to hear from Kate at ADRA, which does such important work supporting those who are less fortunate to make sure they have food and social connection. Congratulations to the new CEDA president, Anna Tehan. I look forward to working with her in the committee as they go from strength to strength.

But what is great about CEDA is that they deliberately have community in their name, and it's about helping others. I want to give a shout-out to one of their members, a well-known Wandin local, Norman Orr. I had the pleasure to open the Eastern 80 bike ride, where he raises funds for the Royal Children's Hospital. This year was the ninth year and they raised $90,000. Next year, their 10th year, we're aiming for $100,000. Congratulations to Norm and the team at Eastern 80.

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to see Suyin and the Koha Community Cafe. I served a little bit of food and, while my hospitality skills were poor, I could see the social connection of those that had a chance to catch up and talk to each other in a place where they felt safe and secure.