Category Archives: In The Community

International Volunteers Day

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I volunteered so much for my local charity, Kingborough Helping Hands, that they asked me to join the committee as well as be their Patron!

Volunteering is not only a great way to help our community – it also helps us develop friendships, keep active and gain a personal sense of achievement.

Despite the daily demands of my job as a senator, I’m still able to find time to volunteer. If you’re not a volunteer too, what’s stopping you?

Visit Volunteering Tasmania’s website to find out what volunteering opportunities are available in your area: https://www.volunteeringtas.org.au/for…/find-a-role-2/…

Happy International Volunteers’ Day!

Delivery Drivers – Workers Union

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Five food delivery riders have been killed on Australian roads recently in the course of their work. Because they are regarded as ‘independent contractors’ they are working in unsafe conditions for low pay, and when they die at work their families have no access to workers’ compensation.

Delivery riders should be engaged as employees’ with full rights to award rates of pay, safe working conditions and compensation if they get killed or seriously injured in the course of their employment.

This is an absolute outrage and the Morrison Government needs to fix it

Transport Workers Union – TWU
Transport Workers Union, Victorian/Tasmanian Branch – TWUVicTas

Walk4BrainCancer Virtual

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Congratulations to Walk4BrainCancer Virtual on raising $1.65 million across Australia for Cure Brain Cancer.These are vital funds to support the Foundation’s advocacy, awareness-raising and research funding to help combat a cancer which has a five-year survival rate of just 22% and kills more Australian children than any other disease.Thank you to everyone who supported my walk including my fellow team members and our sponsors.

If anyone else wants to sponsor me please visit https://my.walk4braincancer.com.au/walk4bra…/catryna-bilyk

Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

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Today – 15 October 2020 – marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Every year Australian families suffer over 2,000 stillbirths and over 100,000 miscarriages.

I am proud to have participated in the Senate inquiry into Stillbirth Research and Education along with my Labor colleagues Kristina Keneally and Senator Malarndirri McCarthy – Northern Territory, both of whom have continued to be strong advocates for parents of stillborn babies.

As a parent of a stillborn baby my participation in the inquiry was a painful reminder of my own tragedy yet a necessary contribution to public policy.The inquiry made important recommendations for reducing the rate of stillbirth in Australia and improving support for parents. Many of the inquiry’s recommendations remain unimplemented and this national crisis requires more attention and action from the Government.

If you know someone who is grieving the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death please encourage them to contact one of the following organisations: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Australia – https://www.pregnancylossaustralia.org.au/Stillbirth Foundation Australia – https://stillbirthfoundation.org.au/Sands Australia – https://www.sands.org.au/The Compassionate Friends Victoria Inc. (also covering Tasmania) – https://www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au/

Anti Poverty Week

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This week (11-17 October 2020) is Anti-Poverty Week.It is a great reminder of Labor’s commitment to repair 100,000 social housing properties.

Fixing problems like mould, leaking pipes, exposed wires and damaged floors, walls and ceilings will:- improve the health of tenants;- make houses more energy efficient, saving tenants money and helping the environment; and- create work for tradies across Australia.

Work could start almost immediately, employing plumbers, carpenters and electricians. This is what Labor would do if we were in government. This is what the Morrison Government should do right now.

Kingston Croquet Club Visit

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Yesterday I visited the Kingston Croquet Club for the launch of their 2021 Croquet Calendar, the production of which has been assisted by my office.

Included in the photos below are committee members Patricia O’Neill, who came up with the idea of the calendar and Robbie Lee, who did the camera work.

A very welcoming, warm and friendly club! When you have to work on a weekend this is the most enjoyable kind of work you can do.

Lions Club of Kingborough Visit

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This morning I dropped in on the Lions Club of Kingborough to see their popular toy sale at Brookfield Shed Margate.

I enjoyed having a chat with the Club members. I often assist the club with printing, prize donations, supporting their Anzac commemoration and sports day and promoting their events.

I’m happy to support a Club that does such great work in the Kingborough community and beyond.The toy sale will be running from 10am-2pm today and over the coming weekend.All proceeds will go towards supporting people recovering from the 2020 Australian bushfire crisis.

South Arm Mens Shed

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I recently gave a donation to assist the fundraising efforts for the establishment of a new men’s shed at South Arm. Today I met with some of the 50+ members who are driving this project, along with my colleague Alison Standen MP, to discuss other ways we can assist them to get the shed started.
The photo below was taken at the proposed site of the shed. Julie Collins MP and David O’Byrne MP also made contributions towards the project but unfortunately had to send their apologies for the meeting.
Thanks to the South Arm Peninsula Residents Association Inc for also supporting this wonderful project.
The men’s shed movement started as a way of improving men’s health by helping them open up about their issues in an environment where they feel comfortable doing so. I know from visiting several other sheds that they can be life-changing, and in some cases life-saving.

NILS Network Tasmania Delivery Partnership

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Since announcing that my office has become a NILS Network of Tasmania
delivery partner we have been inundated with requests for appointments.
As a delivery partner we can help low income Tasmanians apply for a no-interest loan to buy educational equipment, buy essential housholds items, repair a vehicle, meet the costs of relocation after family violence or start a microbusiness.
This service is delivered by my friendly employee, Renée. To make an appointment call Renée on (03) 6229 4444 or email Renee.Toigo@aph.gov.au.
For more information about what a NILS loan can do for you visit http://nilstasmania.org.au.