Community Recognition Statement

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields ) ( 17:03 ): I acknowledge and congratulate Sandra McDonald, the founder of local mental health group, Beautiful Minds, on her New South Wales Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of her dedication, service and commitment to people and families living with mental illness. It is a deserved award but, true to her character, Sandra was humble and stated that everyone at the awards ceremony was just as deserving. It is people like Sandra and many others in the electorate who make public representation such a joy and privilege. Seeing her build Beautiful Minds from scratch into a well-known and highly respected community organisation in service to the vulnerable is one of many sources of pride in our community. I am confident that this is not the last award Sandra and Beautiful Minds will receive as she continually comes up with new ways to raise much-needed funds and create greater awareness for mental health. I very much look forward to working with Sandra and Beautiful Minds, and I wish them every success.