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

It was wonderful to be at the Lilydale show and see so many familiar faces, meet locals and hear what matters to them. It was a great event. There was lots of fun for the kids, young and old. There were pony rides, camel rides, reptile and wildlife displays, the wood chop, dog jumps and many more. But it wasn't just great entertainment. It was a chance for our community to come together and learn more and to say thank you to the Lilydale CFA and the Lilydale SES. The car-cutting demonstration certainly attracted a big crowd. The Lilydale Cricket Club, who have the venue at their ground, were selling sausages and raising funds for another amazing community organisation.

I was lucky enough to be part of the Yarra View Garden Centre Sustainable Scarecrow Competition. It was a tough field, so I vacated the judging and left that to the president, Paul. He had a very tough job. Congratulations to the winners: Chirnside Park Primary School. I also congratulate the other entrants: Don Valley Primary School, Saint Marys Primary School in Mount Evelyn and also Wandin Yallock Primary School.

It was a wonderful event, with the community coming together, but it doesn't happen without volunteers, so I want to thank the volunteer committee of the Lilydale Agricultural and Horticultural Society led by the president, Paul, and the secretary, Heather. John, who is a life member, was there making sure everything was running well. It comes together because volunteers are prepared to give back to our community so that it can stay strong. I say thank you to them all for a wonderful event.