(Community Recognition Statement, 22 October 2014, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

I congratulate community volunteers in Woolloomooloo and Surry Hills who took part in a community initiative to remove offensive and unsightly graffiti from government-owned properties. I applaud the hard work of tenants including Katrina Hendrikson, Grant Dawson, Julian Rosseeuw, Graham Brech, Victor Krul, Connie Ng and Roman Jaremczuk; Aunty Robyn Carroll, Sandra Miller and Christina Zheng from the Walla Mulla Community Centre; Client Service Officers Alison Egan and Sean Tunnicliff; Community Development Officer Kira Weiss from Housing NSW; and the 29 corporate volunteers from Lend Lease.

More than 75 square metres of graffiti was removed, improving amenity and feelings of community safety, and demonstrating again that social housing tenants care about their community and homes. This project also reflects the vital role that community development workers play in helping to coordinate projects and secure funds from the Volunteer Graffiti Removal Squads Program. I look forward to more initiatives that encourage local residents to take action to help their communities and to get to know each other. I look forward to the success of Graffiti Removal Day on Sunday 26 October.