Neighbourhood House Week
[6.02 p.m.]
Ms BURNET (Clark) - Honourable Speaker, next week is Neighbourhood Houses Week. I was pleased to join with other MPs and various neighbourhood houses represented at a picnic on Parliament House lawns to kick things off on Tuesday. I met with volunteers and staff from around the state and heard firsthand how vital a role those neighbourhood houses play in their communities.
The picnic was a joyful occasion and every time I visit one of the neighbourhood houses in my electorate of Clark, I'm struck by the positivity and warmth of the dedicated community members who put in so much time and effort to provide services like free community lunches, workshops, driving lessons and much more.
But behind the scenes, neighbourhood houses are doing it as tough as anyone. With their budgets frozen, they were asked to identify savings and were faced with some really tough decisions.
So it was that facing a funding shortfall, the wonderful Community Garden and Playgroup at Bucaan Community House at Chigwell was forced to close last year. It had provided gardening classes, food distribution and produced about a tonne of vegetables each year. The outpouring of support the house received in the wake of the temporary closure was overwhelming. Mr Bayley was out there flying the flag for the community garden there. It was most welcome news when the community garden and playgroup reopened recently with the help of Glenorchy City Council.
These connections are really important, and we had the MPI this morning about preventative health. That wellbeing and connection to community is just so important. It's hard to really put a figure on it but just putting a figure on what the neighbourhood houses contribute economically, it's estimated for every dollar spent, two-and-a-half times goes back into the community.
During the recent school holidays, I attended 'Crewative Heroes', an art competition at Bucaan house. I think it was funded by the Tasmanian Community Fund. The atmosphere was one of pure joy and community spirit. It was such a hoot. Kids in face paint showed off their costumes in a fashion show compered by Grace Chia, while the barbecue worked overtime on a sunny autumn afternoon. It was obvious how much work had gone into organising the event and it paid off with laughter echoing through the streets and smiling faces, young and old. This year's theme for Neighbourhood House Week is 'Your Place to Connect', and I want to have a shout out to the chair, Michelle Ewington, and CEO, Simone Zell. I know they lead the organisation, but each and every volunteer and worker at Neighbourhood Houses are doing such a fabulous job.
The theme is Your Place to Connect; it's not just the material and practical support that makes these places so invaluable to the communities. They provide a space for people to meet, eat together, to talk with one another, to learn from each other and share help and expertise. You can find the program for Neighbourhood House Week at nht.org.au. There are events all across the state every day next week and I encourage anyone to get along, whether that is to roll up your sleeves and volunteer, to enjoy Australia's largest community‑led lunch, or to learn more about the work that these tireless community advocates do for their neighbours all year round.