Oh wow! What an exciting week it's been this week on the home front watching the wife kick arse out in the community and making real change. It's actually quite a significant event I got to see her off to, formally invited to government house for the Caroline Chisholm Society 50 years celebrating service to women, children and families.
Only a handful of people got a special invite to participate in the networking and community event. There were some pretty big players from around town. I remember my wife telling me she felt a bit like a fish our of water, a small time young councillor from an outter suburban council in Government house.
My wifes been quite passionate about youth issues, after all youth are tomorrow's leaders and an investment into youth now pays off in years to come. Our area has been having a few issues lately especially due to COVID19, lockdowns, loss of work and families have been doing it tough.
Family violence is also on the rise including late detection of child development delays. Which, if picked up early can be treated and supported to ensure youth aren't left behind.
However, with a growing municipality many people are without adequate access to child services leaving them unable to get kids to school, kids to doctors appointments and parents can't even access kindergartens.
She wasn't too happy about that news and decided to do something about it. Due to the rapidly expanding population growth the state government has been slow to keep up with public transport for the area.
So, she got to work meeting with organisations and families to find out what would help. She then took two options to council chambers one for council run bus services or taxi vouchers.
After much discussion council voted in favour of taxi vouchers as they would be an easier option. Ontop of that a report was undertaken and it was identified that 700 direct families were unable to access health and community services with financial reasons being one of the greatest barriers. Many of the council services are free to locals but transport costing a fair bit in Australia was locking many out.
This week was also another important day as she attended the Kurunjang Community centre, during COVID19 a number of organisations, community groups and community volunteers gathered and defied the odds to cook food and provide welfare packages to people who had lost their jobs, were isolated or couldn't get to the shops.
The support provided grew daily as more and more people needed support and council was there to provide financial and logistical support, an entire community coming together to battle it out and ensure no one was left behind.
It was an epic week and one I am totally proud of my partner for what she's been able to achieve. I remember walking into a Cafe and hearing a Cafe worker and possible manager saying what would be the point of electing a nurse to local government? What can a nurse do?
I hope that they watch on daily as my wife is out there working hard and making a difference in our community and lifting living standards.