Sam Rae (Hawke, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The African Youth Initiative, based in Melton, is an organisation making an extraordinary difference to the lives of young African Australians across Melbourne's west. During a recent visit, I had the privilege of meeting with members of this remarkable organisation, which is committed to engaging and empowering African youth in our community. Through their valuable programs, the African Youth Initiative focuses on skill development, self-expression and confidence building. These are key foundations for young people to thrive.

These programs not only provide essential skills but also foster a sense of identity, belonging and pride among young African Australians. By creating these opportunities, the African Youth Initiative is equipping its participants to succeed in life and become active contributors to their communities. I want to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to co-directors Aken and Robiel, as well as Sobur and the extraordinary team of volunteers who give their time and energy to this vital cause. Your hard work and dedication are setting a shining example of how grassroots organisations can create lasting positive change in our community.

It was a great privilege to recently host the Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Matt Keogh, for a community roundtable in Melton. Alongside Alice Jordan-Baird, Labor's candidate for Gorton, we were joined by representatives from the Melton RSL Sub-Branch and other local veterans organisations. This roundtable was an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from those on the ground about the challenges and opportunities in supporting veterans across Melbourne's west. We had meaningful discussions about the services and programs available to those who have served or are currently serving, and about how we can better support the families of veterans in our community. These insights reaffirmed the vital role played by local service organisations in ensuring our veterans feel recognised, respected and supported.

Our veterans have given so much to our nation and their sacrifices should never be forgotten. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary work of groups like the Melton RSL, the Melton sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association, the Naval Association, the Partners of Veterans Association, the Bacchus Marsh RSL, the Ballan RSL, the Sunbury RSL, Sunbury sub-branch of the National Servicemen's Association and the Young Diggers. These organisations provide critical services, a sense of community and unwavering support for veterans and their families in our community. My deepest thanks go to Andrew Jeynes and the team at the Melton RSL for hosting us on this occasion and for their continued commitment to the veterans of our region. Their dedication ensures that those who have served our country are never forgotten and always supported.

I recently had the privilege of hosting a roundtable in Hawke, bringing together local practitioners, service providers, school leaders and community groups to discuss how we can continue to enhance support for children with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other neurodiverse conditions. It was a constructive and collaborative discussion focused on identifying opportunities to strengthen and expand the services available to families in our community. The roundtable included valuable contributions from organisations such as Mambourin, Pinarc Disability Support, Keeley's Cause, Western Health, ForHealth, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Melton Specialist School.

These groups shared their expertise and ideas for ensuring that neurodiverse children have access to the resources that they need to thrive.

The dedication of these organisations and a commitment to supporting families is inspiring. Their work demonstrates the power of community collaboration and a shared vision for creating inclusive and supportive environments for all children.

I'm deeply grateful to everyone who participated in this roundtable for their insight and passion. Together, we're taking important steps towards ensuring families in our community feel supported and connected to the services that they need.

Debate interrupted.