Portfolio — 29 August 2026

The Assembly window for Croydon is shaped by two distinct threads: a tribute from the Member for Croydon to a retiring local educator and musician, and third-party references that bring the district's geography into debates on veteran commemoration and stalled road infrastructure.

Mr Hodgett used his Assembly time to recognise Richard O'Toole, who retires this year after a 45-year career in education and more than two decades leading the Australian Youth Band as its musical director [TA-260827-vichns-1d37da03d766:s029]. Appointed to that role in February 2005, O'Toole built the band's international profile through performances at festivals in Shanghai, Penang, Singapore and Malaysia, while simultaneously serving as instrumental music director at Yarra Hills Secondary College — teaching clarinet, saxophone, voice and piano [TA-260827-vichns-1d37da03d766:s029].

Mr Hodgett described O'Toole's career as one that has inspired generations of young musicians through knowledge, enthusiasm and passion as a teacher, conductor and musical director.

Croydon also appeared in the Assembly through the contribution of Ms Terpstra, who represented the Minister for Veterans at the Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration service held in Croydon on 17 August, marking the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan [TA-260826-vichns-600fc4ab6e71:s012]. Ms Terpstra noted that more than 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam — including over 10,000 Victorians — and acknowledged that many returned to a nation that did not always provide the welcome or support they deserved [TA-260826-vichns-600fc4ab6e71:s012].

Separately, Ms Werner raised two unresolved transport safety matters affecting localities within the district during debate on the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee report [TA-260826-vichns-9f81c0b98fb9:s053]. She noted that $4.7 million in federal funding secured under the former Coalition government for the Tortice Drive and Ringwood-Warrandyte Road intersection in North Ringwood has since been withdrawn.

She also flagged that $25 million in combined state and federal funding allocated to the Five Ways intersection in Warrandyte South remains unspent, with construction yet to begin despite what she described as community support and overwhelming local advocacy. Both matters signal live infrastructure pressure points within Croydon that have not translated into on-ground delivery.