Community Recognition Notice

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields): — I want to take this opportunity to recognise a shining light during the dark days of lockdown.

The staff and volunteers at the South West Multicultural and Community Centre in Minto knew their community needed assistance so they stepped up to help.

Demand for their weekly $10 food hampers, in partnership with FoodBank, went up about 80%.

The centre partnered with OzHarvest and local police to provide food hampers to people who had tested positive to COVID-19.

Hampers were also distributed to the elderly, international students, temporary visa holders with limited access to government assistance, local churches and Aboriginal community.

Under the guidance of co-ordinator Mal Fruean, the centre partnered with the Bill Crews Foundation and Aspen Medical to set up a two-day vaccination hub in Minto for the Pasifika and local community.

People would come in to pick up a hamper and get the jab, then bring their families back the next day in a terrific boost to vaccination rates.

My thanks goes to everyone at the South West Multicultural and Community Centre for their invaluable assistance during a difficult time