Hughes Electorate: Community Services
Transcript
Date: 1 July 2024
Ms WARE (Hughes): I rise today to speak about some of the issues affecting my local community in Hughes. Firstly, nestled down on the banks of the Woronora River, known by the 2,200 locals down here as 'the Wonnie', and completely ringed by bushland is the suburb or village better known as Woronora. The community hub there is the Woronora RSL club. But this club is currently under threat of closure. I met with the board over the weekend and have been contacted by many Woronora residents. The RSL club is an integral part of our local community, hosting Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services. It is a venue for community meetings and an emergency evacuation point, and it also hosts various groups including our local ukulele group. It is hoped that this important venue can continue to operate into the future. I've said to the Woronora locals and the club directors, 'I'll continue to advocate for this club to save this important local icon.'
As we start this new financial year, Labor is promising life will be easier. I've visited many of my local community organisations recently, such as Vinnies at Sutherland. Never has it been so tough within our community. Vinnies and other charities are inundated with requests for help, food, grocery vouchers, kids' clothing, blankets and pet blankets. Vinnies is often the first place to which people turn. I commend the work of the volunteers and staff at Vinnies assisting our local community.
Like Vinnies, the Rotary Club of Sutherland also does an amazing job providing support within our local community—most recently, and particularly, for victims of domestic violence as well as for our homeless youth. They also support important projects overseas. I was privileged to attend the changeover dinner last Friday night. I congratulate Nouri Nader, the outgoing president. I wish President-elect Alan Heighway and his directors all the best for the upcoming year.
These charitable organisations are so important. They're run by volunteers on shoestring budgets. Never have these groups been so important, because over the past two years my local community has been finding it more and more difficult. From Bundeena to Bangor, Heathcote to Hammondville, Sutherland to Sandy Point, Maianbar to Moorebank and Waterfall to Woronora, families, households and small businesses are suffering from crippling inflation that this government has still failed to get under control. Monthly core inflation is now at 4.4 per cent. My community knows that this government has been bad for it and that this government has cost it money and will continue to do so into the future. We cannot afford this government any longer.