Read in Parliament on 22 October 2015: I acknowledge the fantastic Mental Health Month events and activities that took place across the electorate of Newtown over past weeks. I particularly acknowledge the efforts of Ability Links NSW, the Sydney City team and the Compeer program for their "Unleash Your Creativity" event at the Redfern Community Centre. I also was pleased to attend this year's Annual Mental Health Month event at the Northcott Community Centre that is run by the Inner City Mental Health Recovery Working Party. I commend the work of Douglas Holmes for putting on another fantastic "Don't Lose Your Marbles" challenge and congratulate all teams that participated in the challenge. I also acknowledge the tireless efforts of Laura Kelly at Counterpoint Community Services and all of the participants of the Redfern and Waterloo Neighbourhood Advisory Board for putting on extremely successful "Value Your Mind" community days.   Links: Ability Links NSW Redfern Community Centre Northcott Community Centre Counterpoint Community Services        

Read in Parliament on 28 October 2015:   "I draw the attention of the House to the work of the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW. Established in 1975, the council is the peak body for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in New South Wales. Recently I celebrated the council's fortieth anniversary at its annual general meeting, along with The Greens member of the Legislative Council Mehreen Faruqi. I thank the outgoing board members for their service: Aziz Akbar, Phoebe Alexander, Indrajit Khuman, Arnir Salem and Jon Soemarjono. I congratulate also the newly elected and continuing members of the new board: Chair Peter Doukas, Deputy Chair Jack Passaris, Marta Aquino, Siddique Panwala, Fiona Passaris, Emanuel Valageorgiou, Tasha Vanos, George Varughese, Maria Passaris, Padmanabhan Karamil, Glen Falkenstein, Cen Amores, Josie Musa, Suellyn Lin, Christine Lynch, Abbas Alvi and Executive Officer Mary Karras. I congratulate and welcome the new board, and wish members every success."       Link: Ethnic Communities Council of NSW

Read in Parliament on 18 November 2015: "I draw the attention of this House to the fantastic efforts and initiatives of the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre in working towards a more inclusive, resilient, vibrant and self-reliant community in the electorate of Newtown. I especially acknowledge the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre's community development worker, Emily Walpole, for her tireless advocacy and efforts on behalf of the residents of 31 Station Street, Newtown. When it became clear that sudden changes to the exterior of the building were having a significant negative impact on the livelihood of residents, Emily did everything in her power to have those concerns heard. I also acknowledge the work of the Marrickville Legal Centre, in particular Julia Murray, for her support for those efforts. I commend each and every resident of 31 Station Street for the patience and dignity they showed in the face of distinct adversity, in particular a tenant representative, Merci, for her efforts in facilitating tenant meetings and for her calm and practical approach under difficult circumstances. I congratulate everyone involved. I was pleased to pass the building and see the apartments filled with light once more." Links: Newtown Neighbourhood Centre Marrickville Legal Centre

Read in Parliament on 19 November 2015: I draw the attention of this House to the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards organised by the Centre for Volunteering. I commend all nominees and winners for their commitment and dedication to volunteering, and make special mention of the nominees and winners who live within the electorate of Newtown: Jane Hehir from Ashfield, who volunteers with Newtown Neighbourhood Centre and received the Volunteer of the Year Award; Bridget Rose Kelly from Stanmore, who volunteers at Plumtree Early Childhood Intervention service and received the Student Volunteer of the Year award; the SPARK volunteer team, who received the volunteer team of the year award; Patricia Di Croce from St Peters, who was recognised for her volunteering with the Wilderness Society; and Greg Owen from Newtown, who was recognised for his volunteering with the Taronga Conservation Society Australia. Congratulations to you all.        Links: Centre for Volunteering Newtown Neighbourhood Centre Plumtree Early Childhood Intervention SPARK  Wilderness Society Taronga Conservation Society Australia  

Read in Parliament on 17 February 2016: "It is the Year of the Monkey. My Lunar New Year celebrations began with Summer on the Green in Waterloo, coordinated by the Redfern and Waterloo Neighbourhood Advisory Board Events Group. About 650 people attended this event and enjoyed performances by the Lok Wan Cantonese Opera and Dancing Group and Mr Wu's tai chi sword and fan dance, as well as receiving a fortune cookie from the Chinese god of prosperity, Mason. I was also honoured to attend the Haymarket Chamber of Commerce Chinese New Year banquet with my Greens colleague the member for Balmain. I thank the Chamber president, Simon Chan, and the executive for a wonderful night. Celebrations continue this week when I will join the Australian Malaysian Singaporean Association banquet as a guest of the president, Peter Wong, and members of the Malaysian and Singaporean communities. I recognise the invaluable contribution made by each of these and many other organisations and communities throughout New South Wales that celebrate Lunar New Year. Kung Hei Fat Choy." Links: Redfern and Waterloo Neighbourhood Advisory Board Haymarket Chamber of Commerce Australian Malaysian Singaporean Association

Read in Parliament on 25 February 2016: "I draw the attention of this Parliament to the individuals doing great work in the Newtown electorate who were recognised on 26 January this year. I congratulate Sydney Story Factory executive director and co-founder Catherine Keenan, who received the 2016 Australian Local Hero Award. Catherine, staff and volunteers at the Sydney Story Factory in Redfern work to ensure that all young people, no matter their background, are given opportunities to express themselves through writing and storytelling. I particularly commend their efforts to prioritise the engagement of marginalised young people. I loved sitting in on a session at the Sydney Story Factory last year. I also congratulate the Marrickville Council 2016 Citizens of the Year. The Young Citizen of the Year was Xanthe Sini, who volunteers at Newtown's Asylum Seeker Centre. The Senior Citizen of the Year was Jim Skuthorpe, who was recognised for his many years with NSW Police Force Volunteers, and the Citizen of the Year was Tamra Palmer. I congratulate them all." Link: Sydney Story Factory

Read in Parliament on 9 March 2016: "I draw to the attention of the House the fabulous 2016 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival, which culminated in the parade held on Saturday night. I congratulate the Mardi Gras staff, board, members and volunteers, and each of the 170 floats and 12,500 participants who danced their way up Oxford Street at the weekend, filling the streets with acceptance, inclusion, love, dancing, rainbows and glitter. I was privileged to be part of the parade, marching alongside many fantastic floats. I give a special shout out to the 78ers who participated, in the wake of the recent and long overdue parliamentary apology. I also give a special shout out to the No Pride in Detention float that highlighted the terrible circumstances faced by refugees in Australian detention, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning refugees fleeing persecution. I also recognise the many outstanding community and organisation floats—including the ACON Aboriginal Project, Rainbow Families, Gayby Baby, Wear it Purple, Twenty10, various queer student networks, Rainbow Babies and Kids, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the Uniting Network, Australian Olympians and Paralympians, and Dykes on Bikes." Links: ACON Aboriginal Project Rainbow Families Gayby Baby Weat it Purple Twenty10 Rainbow Babies Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays the Uniting Network Dykes on Bikes    

Read in Parliament on 22 March 2016: "I draw the attention of the House to the 12,866 individuals and non-government organisations that have made submissions to the new M5 Environmental Impact Statement [EIS] raising their concerns around the WestConnex and the new M5. I congratulate members of the local community campaign groups who worked so hard to inform the people of New South Wales and those directly affected by WestConnex about the significant and alarming impact this toll road will have on their lives and the lives of all their children and families. These groups include the WestConnex Action Group, NoWestConnex: Public Transport and the Save Newtown group. I note that the list of all the submissions made to the new M5 EIS is over 180 pages long. This extremely large number of submissions highlights serious community concerns about this WestConnex toll road. I urge the Government to listen to them and their strong communities." Links: Westconnex Action Group NoWestConnex: Public Transport [Facebook page] Save Newtown group [Facebook page]

Read in Parliament on 5 May 2016: "I draw the attention of this Parliament to the important work of the South Sydney PCYC and to its significant contribution to the Redfern community through its encouragement of young people to be active in life and assisting them to develop their skills, character and leadership. Under the guidance of the new club manager, Gary Davis, and the regional general manager, Geoff Yates, the newly refurbished club has worked hard to revitalise the strong connection with the local community that it has enjoyed for many years. I was pleased to be able to visit the PCYC recently and have a tour of it. I acknowledge the work that officers of the NSW Police Force do at the club. The programs on offer to young people range across education, sport, recreation, culture, life skills and outreach work. I congratulate Gary, Geoff and the officers based at the PCYC in South Sydney on their incredible efforts to revitalise the club. I wish them all the best for the future and I look forward to supporting them." Link: South Sydney PCYC

Read in Parliament on 5 May 2016: "I draw the attention of this Parliament to the important work carried out by staff and volunteers at the Cat Protection Society of NSW Inc. currently located on Enmore Road, Newtown. The organisation has been desexing and rehoming cats since 1958. It now rehomes around 1,000 cats each year, desexes a further 2,000 to 3,000, and has a no-kill policy, ensuring every cat lives a full and happy life. As well as offering a rehoming service, the society is involved in community education and advocacy for pet friendly policies and better animal welfare laws and regulations. I congratulate chief executive officer Kristina Vesk, feline services manager Nerida Atkin, the team of around 20 dedicated staff and the 150 or so volunteers who foster cats, staff the society shop, or care for the cats in the Enmore Road shelter. I thank the board members—president Kaye Isbister, vice-president Nita Harvey and directors Angelika Elliott, Sue Schreiner, Grace Tam and Guy Farrands, who also volunteer their time to the organization." Link: Cat Protection Society of NSW

Read in Parliament on 5 May 2016: "I draw the attention of members to the recently released BOLD anthology, a collection of stories written by older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. More than 50 writers contributed to the anthology, including former High Court Judge the Hon. Michael Kirby, transgender advocate Sally Golding, Indigenous woman Aunty Dawn Daylight, Dr Jo Harrison, an attendee of Sydney's first Mardi Gras, and former Greens parliamentary leader Bob Brown. I was pleased to attend the launch of BOLD at the Better Read Than Dead bookstore in Newtown, where I joined contributors Melissa Hardy, Kate Lilley, David Urquhart and Helmut Bakaitis, who shared their insightful and personal BOLD stories with us. I congratulate the anthology's editor, David Hardy and Hannah Mae Cartmel, from the publisher, Rag & Bone Man Press, for bringing together this collection of stories. I thank them for ensuring that these important stories from LGBTI elders in our community are documented and form part of our rich and vibrant history." Link: BOLD book

Read in Parliament on 13 October 2016: "By leave: I draw the attention of this Parliament to the amazing work of YFoundations in supporting young people who are at risk of and experiencing homelessness. YFoundations works collaboratively with non-government organisations, government and community members to provide policy and structural advocacy services for young people. Earlier this year I was pleased to attend the Youth Homelessness Matters Day and congratulate YFoundations chief executive officer Michael Coffey, senior policy officer Chris Stone and the YFoundations youth ambassadors, Alice Zhang and Sarah Maynard. I commend them for their ongoing commitment to the organisation. I acknowledge the contribution of Australia's first National Children's Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, who launched the event. I thank her for her tireless advocacy for the rights and interests of children, and the laws policies and programs that impact on them." Link: Yfoundation

Read in Parliament on 13 October 2017: "I draw the attention of this Parliament to the trials and tribulations of all those who have caught—or attempted to catch—the 370 bus which runs from Glebe to Coogee, travelling through the electorate of Newtown. Dubbed "the worst bus in Australia", it is a haphazard bus that is now famous for extended delays. I wish to recognise each and every person who has braved the elements to wait for the 370, often to simply watch it drive on past their bus stop without actually stopping, and those who have waited patiently for one to arrive long past when it was due to then see three appear in a row. To the few special people in our electorate who have successfully hailed and boarded the 370, and arrived at their destination on time, we salute you. The 370 is the worst bus. Congratulations to anybody who has managed to use it to get somewhere on time."  

Read in Parliament on 10 November 2016: "I draw the attention of the House to the achievements of the Redfern All Blacks rugby league football club. The club was officially founded in 1944 and is the oldest Aboriginal rugby league football club in the country. This year the Redfern All Blacks men's team won the trophy in the grand final of the Sydney Combined Competition and very recently also won the prestigious Koori Knockout competition for the second year in a row. The Redfern All Blacks women's team made it to the semi‑final of the Sydney Metro Women's Rugby League Division 1 and were also champions at the Koori Knockout, winning the women's competition. I congratulate all of the players, team officials, volunteers and supporters who have been part of a great year."   Link: Redfern All Blacks

Read in Parliament on November 9 2017: "I draw the attention of this Parliament to the fantastic achievement of Paralympian and Camperdown resident Angie Ballard. In September she represented Australia at the Paralympic Games in Rio. Angie competes in wheelchair racing and first represented Australia in 1998. She has competed at Paralympic Games in Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London and now Rio, where she won two individual bronze medals in the 100 metres and 400 metres T53 track events and a silver medal as part of the 4x400 metres relay team. I congratulate Angie on her success, along with all the athletes in the 2016 Australian Paralympic team."     Link: Angie Ballard, Paralympian

Read in Parliament on 10 November 2016: I draw the attention of this House to the work carried out by CanTeen to support young people whose lives have been turned upside down by cancer. Recently I joined CanTeen Chief Executive Officer Peter Orchard and some of the young leaders involved in CanTeen for an afternoon tea in Parliament House. CanTeen is an organisation run by and for young people to support each other when they or a loved one has cancer. I visited the CanTeen offices a few months ago because recently it moved into the electorate of Newtown. I was profoundly moved by the stories of the young people who contribute so much to the organisation. They are true leaders and an inspiration. CanTeen is led by and for young people, and offers vital practical and psychological support and, just as importantly, friendship and understanding from peers.      Link: CanTeen  

Read in Parliament on November 16 2016: "I draw the attention of this Parliament to the restaurants across the electorate of Newtown that have recently been honoured in the 2017 Good Food Guide Awards. I congratulate the teams at Ester in Chippendale, Oscillate Wildly in Newtown and Sixpenny in Stanmore for their remarkable efforts in receiving two chefs hats in the awards. I also congratulate the eight restaurants who received one hat including Izakaya Fujiyama, Vini and Porteno in Surry Hills, Kepos Street Kitchen in Redfern, LP's Quality Meats in Chippendale, Hartsyard and Stanbuli on Enmore Rd, as well as Newtown's Continental, which also took out the Bar of the Year award. Congrats to Bovine & Swine Barbecue Co. who picked up the Best Cheap Eats prize and Tim Watkins of Automata in Chippendale who picked up Sommelier of the Year. A special shout out to Parliament on King on South King Street, who won the Food for Good award celebrating innovation and charity and going above and beyond to contribute to the community." Link: Good Food Guide 2017

Read in Parliament on 23 March 2017: "I draw to the attention of the House the fantastic efforts of the Mardi Gras team who coordinated another successful community Fair Day. The fair was held this year in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, in Newtown. There were more than 220 stalls, hundreds of performers and a crowd of around 70,000—many more if we include the four-legged doggy friends who also attended. It was great to catch up with so many champions of our LGBTIQ communities on the day. I give a shout-out to Australian Marriage Equality, the Mardi Gras 78ers, the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Positive Life NSW, Out for Australia, the Gender Centre and Rainbow Families. I offer my congratulations to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras staff, including chief executive Terese Casu, the Volunteer Fair Day Working Group and the many volunteers who helped out across the day.   Links: Australian Marriage Equality The Mardi Gras 78ers  Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby Positive Life NSW Out For Australia Gender Centre Rainbow Families  

Read in Parliament on 30 March 2017: "I draw the attention of the House to the important work of the Women's and Girls' Emergency Centre [WAGEC] based in Redfern. WAGEC started nearly 40 years ago as a small inner city drop-in centre, assisting women and girls in crisis. It has grown to deliver a range of activities from early intervention to offering crisis accommodation and support services to women, children, young people and families who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness and/or domestic and family violence across the city and inner west. I was very pleased that WAGEC was the recipient of a Community Building Partnership grant this year, which will fund upgrades to its facilities. The project will revamp an outdoor space to assist with client support and services. I commend the work of chief executive officer Helen Silvia and the entire WAGEC team for their commitment and work to empower clients and provide them with support in times of need." Links: https://www.wagec.org.au/

Read in Parliament on 30 March 2017: "I inform the House about the work of Soroptimist International Sydney, which is part of a global movement to improve the lives of women and girls. I recently joined members of the organisation at the presentation of the Soroptimist Sydney Education Grants for Girls. I congratulate the grant recipients: Tabassum Ghani, Alexandria Park Community School; Aliki Tsopanian, Dulwich Hill School of Visual Arts and Design; Omull-Baneen Moosawee, Holroyd High School; Bilkisu Koroma and Sarah Le, Marrickville High School; Keiko Grantham, Sydney Secondary School; Sara Nazar, Tempe High School; and Beate Akhter, Newtown High School of the Performing Arts in my electorate of Newtown. I thank Doreen Todd and Janet Scott from the Soroptimist International Executive Committee, past President Nerida Murray, current President Lyn Moir and all members of Soroptimist International Sydney. It is wonderful that Soroptimist International Sydney provides these grants to promising young women in inner city and inner west secondary schools to assist them to complete their final years of schooling."  Links: http://www.siswp.org/

Community Recognition Statement given by Jenny Leong MP in Parliament on 17th February 2021: "I draw the attention of this parliament to Newtown North Public School who have won the Wakakirri Screen Challenge National Story of the Year Award and the Best Biographical Story Award. The Wakakirri Story-Dance Association host the Wakakirri Challenge annually which is Australia's largest performing arts festival for schools. In 2020, Covid-19 impacted the challenge and schools were unable to perform live so the festival had to take place online. Newtown North's story-dance was titled 'Greta' and the story highlighted the story of environmental activist Greta Thunberg and her Aspergers 'super power'. The film included quotes from Greta Thunberg's speeches set over the dancing and performances of a number of students recreating the story of the global School Strike 4 Climate movement. Congratulations to all of the students, teachers and parents involved in bringing the incredible performance together."   Hansard link here.