HUNTER HOMELESS CONNECT

Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown)—I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary people at Hunter Homeless Connect, who have put together the My Community Directory with the goal of allowing social support services across the Hunter to connect with one another and provide support to people most in need. The last twelve months has seen an increase in the number of people needing and seeking out support to deal with traumatic life events, with the double hammer blows of COVID-19 and the recession putting many at risk of experiencing homelessness. The My Community Directory's purpose is to provide users with an easy way to find information on specialist homelessness and related community support services in the region. There is a printed directory, and an online version which is updated continually. My thanks to Nissa Phillips, HCC's Connecting the Hunter Program Coordinator, Michelle Faithfull who is the Community Directory Coordinator, and of course to the Management Committee: chair Jenn O'Sullivan, secretary Marg McKay, treasurer Nikki Ashworth and members Peta Winney-Baartz, Alyson Segrott, Danielle Simmonette, Rowan Bilkey and David Couri. HCC's work is important and inspiring, and I know they will keep it up into 2021.

A Community Recognition Notice is an opportunity for an MP to submit a short statement praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Notice, please email and let me know!