TRANSCRIPT:
I want to highlight the fantastic community work in my electorate, starting with the reopening of Seymour FM radio station after being flooded last year. Committed community members worked tirelessly to reopen this vital asset, and it was a privilege to officially open the new station. The Seymour radio station is the heart of storytelling in our community, providing a beautiful platform for sharing our diverse voices. Well done Greg Sharp, Callum Watson, Nathan Foggie, Cynthia Lim, James Cisco and Bruce Hunt-Hughes.
Seymour has also witnessed an exciting initiative to combat and help people under extreme financial pressure in the community. A new monthly food bank program led by Barbara and her team at the centre distributed 50 hampers on its first day. The high demand sadly reflects the impact of the cost-of-living crisis in our region. Our offices have become a crisis meeting point, and the lack of government support for these individuals is devastating. I extend my gratitude to the selfless community-led programs making a real difference.
Lastly congratulations to sporting champion Dehan Coreejes, the recent recipient of a Benalla Young Sportsperson Trust grant. It is a privilege to be associated with this program – a program that supports young people to go on and achieve their dreams, bridging the divide between small-town sports and the major leagues. Dehan was awarded $1000 to cover the cost of his trip to Queensland to compete with the Melbourne Rebels rugby side.