Hollie Hughes (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The bushfires across the east coast of the country have been devastating. Australians all over our nation have seen the devastation on their television screens and across their social media feeds over the summer, shocked by what they've seen. To have seen it up close and in person is something else—to drive down the South Coast of New South Wales and see towns decimated, businesses and houses just shells, sheds and cars burnt out, nothing but twisted steel remaining where wooden fence railings once stood. For the people who lived through it, I can only imagine. It was terrifying—I know that much, because they told me. There were people who had cars packed, ready to go, and people who didn't, because it wasn't coming in their direction—until it was.

Just over a week ago I spent some time going from Moruya to Huskisson and had the privilege of meeting some families affected by the fires—families facing what, to some, would seem an insurmountable challenge of having lost their home and almost all of their worldly possessions, but families who were already facing challenges, who have children with special needs. I met with service providers who work with them—who work with them at the best of times in difficult and less than optimal surrounds but who are now pulling together to support a huge number of families facing an uncertain future, something many of the service providers are facing themselves.

A very special thankyou to Jessica Hannan from Coast and Country Occupational Therapy, Claire Price of South Coast Speech Pathology, and The Family Place, all of whom work incredibly hard for their clients every day but who have put so many families ahead of themselves lately. At times when their own homes have been under threat, they've still ensured that they could meet clients—children with significant disabilities and their families—at evacuation centres to ensure that they're as calm as they can be in a time of heightened anxiety and stress.

As the mother of a child with autism, it became very evident to me early on that, whilst every person who had to leave their home would be struggling, for people with autism, who thrive on routine, security and certainty, this would be an almost unbearable situation, filled with anxiety and fear. The call went out to corporates for sensory toys—stress balls and fidget spinners, stuff that many see as silly promotional objects but that can serve as vital sensory tools that can help reduce anxiety. I was overwhelmed by the response and would like to acknowledge all those people and businesses who answered the call: James Dore, Ems For Kids headphones, Franklin Templeton Investments, the Commonwealth Bank, Healthcare Australia, Money3, DXC Technology, Deposit Power and Autism Awareness Australia.

But it went beyond that. LaughLand Weighted Blankets are currently making weighted blankets for two children outside of Glen Innes who lost everything, kindly paid for by Teri Barnes, a retired paediatric nurse who just wanted to help a family in need. And it was Matt Doran on the ABC saw the need to cover this story. As I've said to him, I got a number of calls from mums of autistic kids who were grateful to know someone in this place got them, that understood that bouncing on a trampoline all day, every day was so important to our kids. That's something that wouldn't have happened without the ABC coverage. And, whilst we won't always agree, I know that on this one politics and journalism did good!

To the parents, too many to mention, who posted in used but still usable sensory tools, including a weighted vest amongst other things: all of these things have been delivered to the service providers who are best placed to distribute them to the families that need them most. There's Erin Riley and Find A Bed, and Kate Doak, who introduced us—seeing synergies is a particular strength of Kate's. But Erin has done some unbelievable work supporting families at a time when they are most vulnerable without praise or publicity. Erin, you are a rock star.

Finally, to the families who have let me into their lives and are letting me find trampolines for them, Mr. Men books, headphones or whatever special-interest object it might be: you are amazing. You embody everything this country is; you are truly great Australians. Faced with the worst of circumstances, never once have you not had a smile, even through tears. You've seen every silver lining, though I can only imagine how that's been possible. Your resilience and determination is something that I know will continue to be tested but I know is something that will ultimately see you succeed in rebuilding your life. And, as I work towards sourcing these special-interest requirements and anxiety-reducing gear, such as trampolines, I must thank the property manager of my electorate office, Dexus, who recently held a bake sale in our office lobby, raising funds towards the cause.

The overwhelming generosity of so many everyday Australians via the outstanding work of our volunteer firefighters and the unprecedented monetary donations we've seen demonstrates the best of the Australian spirit—that Australians are still wanting to help each other in the face of incredible hardship and that, as a community, we're always there to help a mate. To everyone affected: please know that as a parliament and as a nation we're all here by your side, walking with you every step of the way as you rebuild your lives and your communities.