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

Last month I had the pleasure of visiting the Fireside Crafters, a group of women who meet every Wednesday at Steels Creek Community Centre. The group started in the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfires as a place for women to find social connection and take their minds of the devastation. Some had lost everything. It was great to meet founding member Barbara as well as president Debbie, secretary Cheryl and treasurer Carol and hear about the many quilts that they have made for patients in the palliative care unit at Healesville Hospital. The group also make clothing items for organisations like HICCI and give them to local police to pass on to those experiencing homelessness. The Fireside Crafters are a great example of the community spirit we have in Casey. They've turned the devastation of Black Saturday into this group, which continues to have a positive impact almost 16 years on.

In being out in the community on Australia Day, the thing that stood out to me most was that our community is tied together by our amazing volunteer spirit. My day began at the Monbulk Rotary and Wandin Rotary Australia Day breakfasts. Congratulations to Dr Dan, who was recognised with a community award for his contribution to local health care, and to Georgia Knight, a former Monbulk Football Club member, who received a youth award after being drafted to the Collingwood AFLW team. Go Pies! Thank you to the Rotarians and volunteers who organised these events.

I then went on to a citizenship ceremony to welcome 46 new citizens, from 21 countries, at the Yarra Ranges Council citizenship ceremony. On Australia Day it was an honour to present the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award to Maureen of Millgrove Residents Action Group. Maureen is a cornerstone of the community in Millgrove who has volunteered for more than five decades.

Congratulations to the Community Group of the Year, Holy Fools. It was wonderful to see Neal and the team recognised for their work supporting people experiencing homelessness in the Yarra Ranges.

It was also great to see Debbie from Candlebark Community Nursery honoured with the Environmental Achiever of the Year Award, and Jarvis named Young Citizen of the Year. And congratulations to Eddie Tichelaar, who does amazing things for Montrose, including through Montrose CFA and the Montrose Township Group, on receiving the Ian De La Rue Award for Community Leadership. We were very lucky to have Ian's wife, Margaret, there to present the award in his honour.

The Mayor's Lifetime Achievement Award went to both Sue Thompson and Harry Moyle. Sue has an unwavering commitment to local history through her work with the Lilydale & District Historical Society, and Harry has been a longstanding volunteer of Caladenia Dementia Care.

I also wish to congratulate Elizabeth Connolly on receiving a certificate of recognition for her environmental work in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges.

On the same day, I had the honour of visiting Coldstream Fire Brigade with my state colleague Bridget Vallence to unveil the name of their pumper in honour of Robert Bethell. Robert has been a CFA volunteer for 63 years, including 23 years as Coldstream's captain. His and his family's contribution is significant, with his son Sean now the captain of the Coldstream CFA.

It was special on that day to see life membership of the Coldstream CFA awarded to the late David McClellan. David was a volunteer at the brigade, and it was a bittersweet and proud moment for his wife and family, who were there on the day. He is deeply missed at Coldstream CFA and in the wider Casey community.

Congratulations also to volunteers Julie and Steve, who received special service awards.

It was fantastic to end the day at the RDCA's Emergency Services Cup to raise funds for the CFA and the SES. Congratulations to the women's SES team and the men's CFA teams who took home the trophies.

It was a fantastic Australia Day in our community that shone a spotlight on the amazing volunteer spirit we have both in Casey and across the nation. It was great to see so many people celebrate and share our love of Australia.