STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms MASCARENHAS (Swan) (16:07): What do vegies, a primary school called Brookman and old drink bottles have in common? This is something that is connected to a bloke called Don in my community. I recently visited Brookman Primary School in Langford to celebrate their flourishing vegie garden and the man behind it.

That man's name is Don, and he's 75 years old. He first got involved in Brookman Primary School years ago. He started the school's first chess club, playing chess with the kids and teaching them these important skills.

Later, when he saw the Containers for Change scheme come into effect in Western Australia, his eyes lit up, and he thought of another way to help this fabulous school. So he set up four collection bins in his driveway. Neighbours from all across the neighbourhood and friends would donate their bottles and cans.

He has fundraised $2,000 a year for Brookman Primary School. The P&C president, Kylie Martin, saw that Don was donating year after year, and she wanted to turn his contribution into a continuous connection to the school, and that is through a vegetable garden. The students are so excited growing tomatoes, broccoli, beans, strawberries and kale, and now there's a big sign that reads 'Don's Brookman Garden'.

This is an amazing thing, when you see communities connected together, growing vegies.