LOCAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR NOMINEE VICTORIA LEWIS

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—Congratulations to Victoria Lewis, a recent nominee in the Local Woman of the Year Awards for Maitland. Victoria has spent the past 2 years volunteering and tirelessly establishing the Newcastle Hub of RizeUp Australia in support of women and families escaping domestic violence in Newcastle, Maitland and the Hunter Valley. She manages an engaged group of volunteers who donate their time, and collect donations to assist in setting up the new homes of domestic and family violence survivors. Victoria coordinates furniture, goods and supplies donations as well as being hands on with home set-ups, and she also runs the local Christmas appeal. She is an absolute asset to the local community. She deserves all the praise and recognition for the time and enormous effort she puts into giving back the community. Victoria's commitment to volunteering and altruism inspires those around her to do the same and encourages local businesses and members of the community to get behind some of the most vulnerable and resilient families in our region.