Ms ADDISON (Wendouree) (13:56): The 18th of October marked the 40th anniversary of the election of John Mildren, OAM, to the federal seat of Ballarat.

John’s election win was significant because it ended 25 years of Liberal representation in the seat of Ballarat. John’s win was also transformative for Labor in Ballarat, with great support from former member for Ballarat South Frank Sheehan, OAM; Labor candidate for Ballarat North Steve Bracks, AC; and many other dedicated Labor candidates and countless ALP rank-and-file members throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

We all have so much to thank John for as federal member for Ballarat, as well as the Labor Party members who worked so hard to get him elected and re-elected. John Mildren and these true believers laid the foundations for Labor’s success in Ballarat at state and federal elections for the last 20 years.

We are indebted to you, John, for building broad support for Labor and trust that Labor would deliver for Ballarat.

Ms ADDISON: Congratulations to Craig Fletcher on his election as board president of Sovereign Hill. With his breadth of experience as former mayor, previous Ballarat Turf Club chairperson and founding member of the AFL Goldfields commission, I am sure Craig will make an outstanding contribution to Sovereign Hill as president.

I would also like to thank outgoing board president Damien Butler for his leadership over the last two years, particularly during the very challenging COVID pandemic.

I wish Sovereign Hill all the best for their reopening on Saturday.

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