Ros SPENCE — I would also like to congratulate three outstanding volunteers from the Yuroke electorate who have recently had their great work recognised. Congratulations to Craigieburn resident Arthur Dempster, who was recently short-listed for Volunteer of the Year at the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation awards. Arthur’s decade of service to the Camrea Cricket Club has ranged from preparing the ground and running the canteen to acting as goalkeeper. Indeed, such is his first passion that having his leg amputated due to diabetes two and a half years ago only serve to strengthen his dedication to supporting community cricket. In Arthur’s words, ‘Volunteering helped my recovery immensely. I was a bit down, but once cricket season started everyone at the club lifted my spirits’. And that is what community sport is about.

Craigieburn Eagles Basketball Association president Jason Moore has been short-listed as a finalist for the Premier’s Volunteer Champion awards in the service category. Jason is an energetic and committed community leader and his enthusiasm for basketball has helped make the sport incredibly popular among Craigieburn locals of all ages. He also spearheads the Hume Relay for Life, where he has helped to raise thousands of dollars for Cancer awareness and prevention.

Craigieburn War Memorial & Remembrance Committee member Kevin O’Callaghan is a finalist for the Premier’s Volunteer Champion awards in the leadership category. Kevin’s lifetime of community service spans 40 years, from leading the establishment of the Craigieburn emergency response team to serving as controller of the Craigieburn State Emergency Service. Most recently he led the effort to establish a permanent public war memorial in Craigieburn. Well done Arthur, Kevin and Jason, and thank you for the example you have set for others in our community.