Keith Wolahan (Menzies, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to talk about an institution in my electorate that is dearly valued—our Neighbourhood Watch. Recently I have been doorknocking in my electorate, and the top three issues are cost of living, housing and crime. We have seen an uptick in crime in my neighbourhoods, particularly aggravated burglaries. Aggravated burglaries are not just another property crime; they're a crime where a person is at home and where the sanctity and safety of a family is threatened. I have seen CCTV footage of people violently breaking through front doors to steal car keys and other valuables.

When I met with Neighbourhood Watch, I thanked them for the work they do in keeping our community safe. I met with Geoff Kloot, Angie Lew, Ian Morris and Herman Harberts. They wanted me to stress that it's all the volunteers in Neighbourhood Watch that make a difference. In fact, it is one of the largest neighbourhood watches in Australia. Recently they have been giving up their own time to help our community and inform them. They have been doing letterboxing in Templestowe, delivering crime prevention pamphlets. They have been running a campaign to prevent motor vehicle theft and a campaign to prevent burglaries. They spoke to me about a campaign they ran at the Park and Ride, where people's number plates were getting stolen so the car could be used for another crime. There's a particular screw you can get from Bunnings that, if you put it in, is almost impossible to pull out—and it's a very cheap one, so to those watching: please do the same with your number plates. Thank you, Neighbourhood Watch, for all you do and for giving up your time. It is greatly appreciated by me and our entire community.

I have many churches in my electorate, and I single out one that I attended recently for a key event: St Bishoy and St Shenouda's Coptic Orthodox Church, in Bulleen and Donvale. The history of the Coptic Orthodox Church is an old one. It was founded in Egypt by St Mark in 43 AD and is one of the world's oldest Christian churches. Coptic is derived from the Greek word for Egyptian; it is an Egyptian church. This particular parish moved from Springvale to Bulleen in 1981, and, like many churches, it was the generosity and foresight of people who wanted something that lasted long beyond themselves, something for their children, their grandchildren and beyond—and that is a great credit to them. The congregation is over 300, and it runs youth services and discipleship programs; that is very important.

The event I attended wasn't a religious event; it was a community event, the Bulleen Festival. It was hosted by the church on Saturday 21 September. There were many stalls that included Mediterranean barbecue, face painting, Egyptian sweets, an animal farm and many other things. More than anything, it was a celebration of Egyptian and Coptic Orthodox culture. I single out the leaders of the church: Father Mina Isaac; Father Jonathan Alexander Awad; Father Salib; and the Board of Deacons, which includes treasurer George Saleh, secretary Ereni El-Aschkar—Ereni kindly hosted me for the event—Abanoub Saleeb, Amgad Girgis, Eng Attalla, George Samuel and Bassem Yacoub. When I was at the event, we spoke about the Orthodox calendar and how Christmas Eve is one of the most special services that they run. I was invited to come and join them on Christmas Eve, and I want to let them know that I will be there. I want to thank them. They are a very special church, full of generous and wonderful people who contribute to our community. I say to them: I'm so honoured to be your representative in this place, and I look forward to joining you at many more events.