Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): Last week I had the privilege of joining Chris Lombardo and her magnificent team at the Bridge Darebin as they inducted their newest team members. Fifteen locals have been given an opportunity to work under the leadership of Chris on projects that will make a significant impact on the lives of those they touch and will also make a positive impact on those fortunate to be asked to join the Bridge family. These 15 positions have been made possible by the Working for Victoria program, a brilliant program giving opportunities to people who may have lost employment as a result of the pandemic and just need a leg up. But it has not been an easy road. Chris contacted me some months ago, expressing her frustration with the process and the speed of the applications. So I wanted to pass on my deep appreciation to the Minister for Employment, who worked with me to help expedite things not just for the Bridge but for all the applicants.
But there is another part to this story, and that is my constituent John. I met John last year when I attended the Office of Housing apartment building he calls home, and we worked to raise some of the maintenance issues in the building. Needless to say, I was being introduced to the group of inductees at the Bridge and it was a lovely surprise to see the smiling familiar face of John. That is what is so important about what we do in this place. Programs like Working for Victoria are not just abstract things; they are about real people, like John—and that matters. Congratulations to John, Chris and the wonderful team at the Bridge.
