STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr CONAGHAN (Cowper) (16:29): At every citizenship ceremony I attend, I ask the same thing of our newest local citizens. That is: 'Please find a way to give back to the community you have chosen to be a part of.' Today I'd like to highlight an example of someone who has done just that. Port Macquarie local Raja Devine migrated from Lebanon in 1956 and is the embodiment of a community minded Australian.

Raja is a member of the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise and helped spearhead their local Dishes for Dignity initiative. Every week, Raja lovingly prepares around 150 meals for the homeless. In the 2½ years that the program has been running, she has personally cooked over 10,000 meals, and that's not just her time that she's donated.

After the first few weeks of getting everything prepped and out the door, she realised her small home kitchen wasn't cutting it, so she spent her own money to expand it. If that wasn't enough, when the ingredients that Coles supermarket kindly donates aren't quite cutting it, Raja purchases additional ingredients herself. When she's not in the kitchen, she's volunteering at the gift shop of our local koala hospital and raising funds.

Did I mention she's 75? I'm exhausted thinking about it! Raja, I wanted to say thank you on behalf of our community.

We are so very lucky to have you.