(Community Recognition Statement, Thursday 6 May, Legislative Assembly NSW Parliament) 

On behalf of the Sydney electorate, I commend the work of Neighbourhood and Community Centres, who provide vital support and connection in their local areas. 

Across Australia, neighbourhood centres celebrate their role building community through the annual Neighbourhood Centre Week. This year's event will be held 8-14 May, with the theme 'Loneliness: the solution is community'. One in four Australians are lonely or isolated, and this has significant social, health and economic impacts. This has become more of a concern due to the pandemic, which has increased isolation and kept us apart. Neighbourhood centres provide safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for all sorts of people to meet and link with others, through community programs, courses and groups, and specific projects responding to local community need. I'm proud that neighbourhood centres in the Sydney electorate continue to connect people, provide support, and advocate for changes to benefit their communities. Their peak body the Local Community Services Association is also here, playing a vital support role and a strong voice to government. I thank our neighbourhood centre committee members, volunteers and paid workers for their efforts to build stronger communities.