CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr REBELLO (McPherson) (10:54): I rise today to recognise two parts of our southern Gold Coast community that, in many very different ways, bring people together and make McPherson such a special place to live. Recently I had the privilege of joining the Inspire! dementia-friendly choir at their fundraising concert at Tom Atkin Hall in Tugun. Inspire! is a wonderful community choir that's based at Varsity Lakes Community Resource Centre and welcomes everyone, especially those living with dementia and their care partners.
What makes this choir so special is that it's not about perfection or performance; it's about joy, connection and dignity. It's about people coming together through music, regardless of their vocal abilities or skills, and experiencing the simple but profound benefit of singing side by side. For those living with dementia and for the family members and carers who walk that journey with them, opportunities for friendship and community are incredibly important.
Inspire! provides that in such a warm and generous way. After singing, members gather over a cup of tea or coffee and, in those moments of conversation and companionship, we see the very best of community life. I thank everyone involved: the organisers, volunteers, supporters, singers, carers and families.
You're building a community where people are seen, valued and included, and that's something truly worth celebrating. As those familiar with the Gold Coast would know, the southern Gold Coast has the best beaches in the world, which receive millions of tourists and locals every year. Those beaches are safe because, season after season, our surf lifesavers give their time, skill and courage in service of others.
Across McPherson, we're fortunate to have 12 surf lifesaving clubs that patrol our coastline. They train the next generation, teach vital water safety skills and respond when people are in danger. They're not just clubs; they're institutions of service, camaraderie and community spirit.
Over recent weeks, a number of our local surf lifesaving clubs held their annual dinners, including North Kirra, Rainbow Bay, Kirra, TH&C, Coolangatta, Pacific, Palm Beach, Bilinga, Tugun and Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club. I was privileged to attend many of these awards nights and celebrate ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Congratulations to all award recipients, especially those recognised for years of dedicated service.
These awards represent early mornings, long patrol hours, training sessions, rescues, mentoring and a commitment to keeping strangers safe. Whether through the voices of a dementia friendly choir or the patrolling of our surf lifesavers, McPherson is strengthened by people who give of themselves for others. I'm proud to recognise them in our national parliament and thank them for the remarkable contribution they make to our southern Gold Coast community.