Page 1033 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 May 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
and other essentials to students, as well as to vulnerable families in Canberra. I thank all these organisations for making these deliveries possible.
The Federation of Indian Associations of ACT, which comprises many member organisations, has been engaging with the local community and international students during this time. Through their organisations they have set up response teams for members of the multicultural community, with a toll free number to connect them to the services. They have been delivering groceries and food items to students and emotional and moral support to members of the community. They have also been working with organisations to deliver cooked food and groceries, through cash and in kind. One of the organisations has also been fundraising and has partnered with restaurants to provide food, as well as non-financial help, such as providing advice about rental arrangements and medical health.
The India Australia Association of Canberra has been undertaking similar support efforts, in this case delivering both prepared meals and groceries to vulnerable Canberrans affected by the COVID-19 crisis, including international students, the elderly and vulnerable residents and homeless people in the territory. IAAC, to date, have undertaken a number of deliveries and so far have helped more than 300 Canberrans to access groceries and other essentials, and they are still working as hard as ever.
GOPIO are also doing outstanding work in providing dedicated support to international students in Canberra. They provide groceries, food vouchers and medicines to students in isolation or who are otherwise unable to access these vital links. (Extension of time granted.) The ACT Telangana Association are also providing similar support to international students, and they have been calling regularly to check in and make sure that these students know they have support during this time. Apart from these organisations, the Australian Tamil Cultural Society is also playing a similar role.
Many restaurants in Canberra have to find new and creative ways to stay open and keep cooking, but some have truly gone above and beyond in their service to community, even as they may have been doing it tough themselves. I would like to mention Namaste India in Phillip, Tikka Take in Civic and Blu Ginger. All have been providing free meals to all the international students and people in trouble in this time of crisis. These restaurants are providing much-needed service, and I urge those a little more fortunate to make a donation or pay extra for a meal so that these services can continue for as long as needed.
In conclusion, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but I hope the Assembly will join me in thanking these workers and volunteers for the incredible work they have been doing to protect the vulnerable in Canberra. The kindness, selflessness and community spirit are some of the many things that make me proud to live in Canberra and to have raised my family here. I look forward to supporting this group in future and to following in the footsteps of their selflessness and generosity in my own endeavours as a member of this parliament.
The Assembly adjourned at 5.53 pm until Thursday, 21 May at 10 am.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video