CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Ms JORDAN-BAIRD (Gorton) (10:28): The Aintree Giants football and netball club is a club that embodies the very best of community spirit in Melbourne's growing western suburbs. When the sporting facilities at Aintree were developed, the Aintree Giants vision was simple but powerful: provide children and young people in our growing suburbs with a welcoming club where everyone can develop skills, build confidence and create lifelong friendships.
Today, that vision is thriving. The club has grown to support more than 200 young players and, this year, proudly expanded, with the establishment of its junior netball program. Behind every training session, every game, every sausage sizzle and every milestone are the volunteers who make it all possible.
Coaches, team managers, committee members, parents and supporters generously give their time week after week. Congratulations to all on another successful season, including the biggest ever home game and the achievements of players reaching their 50-game milestones. Go the mighty Giants!
On Sunday 26 July, I had the pleasure of joining We Love Aintree, a grassroots environmental organisation, and their volunteers for their National Tree Day community planting at the historic Rockbank Inn site. It was wonderful to see local Scout groups, the Aintree Reserve parkrun community and so many other local organisations, families and volunteers working side by side to care for the environment.
Together, we planted more than 2,000 native tubestock seedlings that, when fully grown, will provide vital habitat for native wildlife. National Tree Day reminds us that protecting our environment starts in our own neighbourhoods. In fast-growing communities like those across Gorton, initiatives like these ensure growth is accompanied by thriving green spaces.
I give a special thankyou to Jono Ingram, Carolyn—known locally as Tassie—and Hayden Pemberton, whose passion and leadership have helped grow We Love Aintree into a thriving community movement. From its very conception, the new multipurpose court at St Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church was a youth led initiative. Young people designed the court, led the fundraising efforts and, with the generous support of their families, the parish and the wider church community, rolled up their sleeves to help construct it.
These hardworking and dedicated young leaders didn't simply ask for a place to gather. They created one for future generations of young people to connect, belong and flourish. It was my honour to be at the court's inauguration and serve one of the very first volleyballs over the net in a game with the young people that built it.
This project is truly a powerful example of what can be achieved when young people are empowered to lead, supported by a community that believes in them. To every young person who dreamed of this project, to the volunteers who mentored them and to the families and the parish community, who backed them every step of the way, thank you. The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Sharkie ): In accordance with standing order 193, the time for constituency statements has concluded.