Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (19:58): Many of us have been bleary-eyed in recent weeks as we have watched the Olympic Games from Paris, cheering on our athletes in their green and gold and celebrating their very impressive medal tally. It may be a far cry from Paris, but in my local community of Macquarie Fields there is an organisation that is winning gold in every sense. Myrtle Cottage in Ingleburn provides activities for people 65 years or older, the frail aged and younger people with disability, and respite care for people with dementia. In late July, Myrtle Cottage was named Most Outstanding Specialised Business at the Campbelltown Local Business Awards. It is a fantastic achievement for a much‑loved community organisation that helps older Australians and people with disability to remain in their own home for as long as possible. Myrtle Cottage enables people to lead independent lives, creates opportunities for social interactions and gives carers vital free time for respite.
Myrtle Cottage first commenced operating in 1977—the year I was born—in a small hall in the Ingleburn CBD. After much effort and fundraising, a new and expanded facility opened in Bosci Road, Ingleburn in 2006. This is not the first time I have stood in this Chamber professing my admiration for the organisation's fabulous programs. Indeed, when I spoke about Myrtle Cottage in 2017, I recall the facility and services had attracted international attention. A group of 28 recreation and leisure students from Texas State University in the United States visited the cottage through a partnership program with Western Sydney University. So impressed were the visitors from Texas State University that Myrtle Cottage featured in a textbook for students. From Ingleburn to Texas—what a remarkable achievement!
Of course, as Olympic athletes know too well, success is not achieved on one's own. Myrtle Cottage has a wonderful team of 23 permanent and four casual staff, all under the expert guidance of chief executive Kylie Richardson. Kylie is a wonderful asset to Myrtle Cottage and has overseen the organisation's continued growth in recent years. Of course, volunteers are essential to the operation of programs run by Myrtle Cottage. Currently there are 68 active volunteers who help at Myrtle Cottage, whether it is driving or assisting on the bus, delivering craft activities or providing social support. Volunteers are vital to Myrtle Cottage. Without them, Myrtle Cottage would be unable to offer the current level of support to its members. A volunteer told me how their time at Myrtle Cottage brought them a great deal of satisfaction. They thoroughly enjoy being able to assist with a range of activities.
In recent years we have learned of the benefits of social interaction and connection for people of all ages. Loneliness and social isolation have been linked with serious mental and physical health conditions, including cognitive decline and heart disease. Myrtle Cottage is connecting some of the most vulnerable people in our community by providing high‑quality inclusive services modelled on best practice and the latest research. Wonderful support is provided to members, with the transport team offering a door-to-door service, and nutritional morning teas and lunches provided by the kitchen. I am pleased to report that Myrtle Cottage has been successful in receiving a $50,000 grant through the New South Wales Government's Local Small Commitments Allocation program for the purchase of an accessible vehicle. This will enable Myrtle Cottage to continue its important work in transporting its members and help them access programs and activities that promote connection and wellbeing.
Over the years, Myrtle Cottage has forged partnerships with local institutions, including Macquarie Fields TAFE, Western Sydney University, Macarthur Workplace Learning Program, Ingleburn RSL Club and NOVA Employment. Myrtle Cottage's biggest achievement to date is the purchase of a property at Spring Farm to support the growing need for dementia services in the Camden and Wollondilly areas. Myrtle Cottage hopes to open this new facility later this year, which will expand its ability to provide vital programs for the Macarthur community. Myrtle Cottage is certainly helping the frail, the aged, people with disability and people with dementia live up to its motto: "Live social, live active, live well". With an award and an imminent expansion, Myrtle Cottage is indeed a winner and is going for gold. I am extremely proud of the work of Myrtle Cottage. I commend its work to the House, and to the people of Macarthur and New South Wales. I thank everybody involved with Myrtle Cottage for the great community service they provide to the people of my area.
