Kate Thwaites (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Recently, I had the privilege of presenting leadership, academic and other awards to students at Greensborough College. Greensborough College is a fantastic school, where the principal, staff and students all embody the school values of courage, aspiration, respect and equality. On the same day, I also visited Rosanna Primary School to present their semester 2 leaders with their awards. Again, it is a wonderful local school with staff, students and a truly caring principal who live their school values. As the local member, it's really heartening to see all these young people in our community flourishing and being set up for the best possible future. I'm proud to be a member of a Labor government that's doing the work of funding our public schools. We want to make sure that the extra money we've put on the table does make a difference to kids who really need it.

Himilo Community Connect does really important work supporting our local Somali community in Jagajaga, so I am very pleased that the Albanese Labor government is supporting them with $100,000 in funding. Himilo is based at Bell St Mall and partners with a wide range of organisations, institutions and services to increase participation, build capacity, create valuable connections and open opportunities for success in education, employment, health and social cohesion. The $100,000 funding will be used to develop and deliver programs that promote social cohesion among young people in the Somali community, and this is especially important at this time. I would like to thank Himilo managers Abdiaziz Farah and Pam Burley, along with all their staff, who I know work so hard on behalf of the community and on addressing needs that are there. Abdi and Pam really show how deeply they care for our local Somali community and our wider community, and I'm so proud that the Albanese Labor government are able to work with them to deliver this important initiative.

The Paralympics are upon us. Jaryd Clifford is a Jagajaga local who has always dreamed big, knowing from an early age that he wanted to be a Paralympian. Proudly raised in Jagajaga, Jaryd has proven himself to be a true inspiration and a source of pride for the Diamond Valley community. Jaryd began his athletics journey with the fantastic Diamond Valley Athletic Club, and I want to give a huge shout-out to them. I know they have continued to be incredibly supportive of Jaryd and of many other young people in our community who are pursuing their passion for athletics. Next week Jaryd will be competing in Paris in his third Paralympic Games, participating in the T12/13 visually impaired 1,500-metre and 5,000-metre events. Jaryd, you continue to inspire our community. We will all be watching you with pride. Go well! I am sure you will get the race you deserve, and we will all be backing you.