CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr GILES (Scullin—Minister for Skills and Training) (10:45): Right across the Scullin electorate, I'm continually inspired by the organisations and individuals who work so hard to build a stronger community and to especially bring people together in a shared purpose. The Wollert Community Farm is a fantastic example of that. I was so pleased on Friday to come back from parliament to join Whittlesea Community Connections, TV On-Country and Yarra Valley Water to kick off the construction of a new community hub at the farm.

This is the project that's been backed by the Thriving Suburbs fund of the Albanese Labor government, delivering more than a million dollars to support a community hub that's all about local environmental education, training, volunteering and programs that are really available and accessible for people in the northern suburbs and indeed beyond. This is a place that's home to an Indigenous plant nursery and ranger programs so that we can really understand the 65,000 years of continuous culture that is a big part of our country.

There is also conservation, volunteering. It is all focused on protecting the local environment and bringing in local residents in a shared purpose and deeper understanding. Last week, I was also able to join students, staff, including Acting Principal Daniel Taylor, and families at Norris Bank Primary in Bundoora to celebrate the opening of two new playgrounds at this fantastic school.

Junior and senior student playgrounds have been delivered through the Albanese government's Schools Upgrades Fund. The students, including the very impressive school leaders, Lexy and Isaac, told me how much they enjoyed spending their lunchtimes and breaks on the new playgrounds. It was clear to me how excited they were—some of the teachers were too, I've got to say—to share their experiences of the playgrounds with other students and new families.

From bathroom upgrades at Findon Primary to these new playgrounds, the Schools Upgrade Fund has really been delivering much needed changes, building the strength in these school communities right across the northern suburbs. I'm privileged to be Minister for Skills and Training and to think about how that work can intersect with the aspirations of people in the communities I represent.

I want to touch upon two recent examples of this in the Scullin electorate. Firstly, at O'Brien AutoGlass in Epping, I want to give a big shout out to Bek, Youssef, Quinn and all the other apprentices and technicians who showed me the work they do and the really critical on-the-job training they're benefiting from. Similarly, it was a great pleasure to join the AMWU at the Trades Innovation Centre at RMIT in Bundoora to see how this place is opening more doors and more opportunities for people to help fill skills gaps and build rewarding careers in Melbourne and beyond.

Students are benefitting not only from getting their qualifications locally but from modern up-to-date equipment. It is work that will continue to be driven by the Albanese Labor government.