Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to bring people together to celebrate the extraordinary contribution of volunteers from across the Scullin electorate through the Scullin Volunteer Awards, an annual event which is part of National Volunteer Week in late May. Volunteers play critical roles in our society, helping build and sustain stronger, resilient and supportive communities at a local, national and, indeed, international level. Volunteering is inspirational. Volunteers give their time, energy and skills to support others and often gain some personal satisfaction from that too.

The purpose of the Scullin Volunteer Awards was to acknowledge all those community members who have been making significant volunteering contributions to the community. I think about people like Amanda Rodgers and Halime Alpogut from the Lalor Neighbourhood House, who've been involved in a process that's about not just revitalising a physical space but giving so much back to a community they love. Similarly, Lea Thornton and Petkana Parmakovska dedicate so much of their time and their energy and, in Petkana's case in particular, her extraordinary crafting skills to the Thomastown Neighbourhood House, constructing local community projects. The projects, which have been developed by these four amazing people, have significantly enhanced community engagement, making the area safer and more supportive, particularly for younger families new to the area.

These are four of many. I want to also recognise what a privilege it was to meet Tyson Taylor, a man who served in Afghanistan and who has since been involved in so many activities—caring for the sick, responding to the Queensland floods and the Victorian bushfires and being involved in the COVID response. For the last two years, Tyson has volunteered as an honorary governor of the Shrine of Remembrance, teaching children and the wider community about the sacrifice of our veterans whilst also delivering important services.

Another volunteer I want to particularly recognise is Peter Charles Duncome, who not only served in the Australian Army for over 42 years but has volunteered for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal for more than 53 years, in addition to his role as an active member of our local Epping RSL committee. I also think about people like Judy Franklin, Puneet Tikoo and my friend John Fry, who have been part of the Whittlesea Community Connections L2P program, helping young people, particularly new migrants and often people from refugee backgrounds, get their Ps—such an important connector to the possibilities of work and wider social connection.

It was such an honour to be in this room filled with so many people who have given so much to so many others. I want to thank all of those volunteers but also those who have taken the time to recognise the service of those they know who contribute so much to those around them.