Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)— Singing can bring people together and help form communities. Especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, finding ways to connect in positive and uplifting ways as a community has become even more important.

I recently joined with Newcastle's Under Construction Choir on 15 April to celebrate 15 years of singing. Members were thrilled to have the opportunity to come together and celebrate the milestone, and the success of surviving the COVID shutdown periods and coming out the other side as a wonderful, supportive group for one another.

The choir is all about social inclusion, breaking down the barriers that can be erected by mental health challenges and lack of community connection. Singing together creates positive connections and builds resilience, something that has been incredibly rewarding for the choir members over the past few years.

The celebration was a fantastic reminder of what the choir is all about – a love of singing, movement, musicianship and friendship. Congratulations to the Under Construction Choir Newcastle and a special shout out to those foundation members who marked 15 years with the choir at the April milestone event. Happy singing for the future!

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!