A Private Members Statement delivered on 31 May, 2023, by the Member for Keira, the Hon. Ryan Park MP.
Mr RYAN PARK (Keira) (14:04): I recognise the work of Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra [SAHSSI], an amazing local organisation that provides homelessness and domestic violence services to my community and to communities across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. SAHSSI has been advocating tirelessly for women and families in our region for over three decades and provides accommodation and support for those who need it most when they need it most. To me, SAHSSI sets the benchmark for what good community organisations should look like. From governance to service delivery, it continues to set and then raise the bar for women's and domestic violence services in our community. Last year alone SAHSSI provided over 54,000 cumulative nights of accommodation for those in crisis, in addition to providing over $60,000 in direct financial assistance. That amounted to over 1,000 women and children being provided with safe crisis accommodation when they needed it most.
No-one exemplifies the dedication and calibre of SAHSSI better than outgoing CEO Kathy Colyer. Kathy has worked tirelessly for SAHSSI for 17 years, including nine as the CEO. During that time Kathy grew the organisation from a small outfit into the impressive and vital organisation it is today, helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community—particularly women fleeing domestic violence and dangerous situations. Kathy has steered the organisation through incredibly challenging times. Through lockdowns and ever-changing restrictions, she was able to keep her doors open and provide those in crisis with help when they needed it.
While I wish it was not the case, organisations like SAHSSI have become increasingly important over recent years, with more people presenting for assistance each year. While I am very sad to see Kathy stepping away from the CEO role, I know that the new interim CEO, Diane Manns, will continue her legacy of making our community a safer place. I have had the opportunity to work with the organisation in a number of different ways, but our annual toy drive is probably the most well known. We have collected thousands of dollars' worth of toys for the women and families in the region with whom SAHSSI and other organisations have a connection. I thank Kathy on behalf of my team and on behalf of everyone in our community whose lives she has touched through her hard work over many years. We offer our very best wishes for her retirement and hope she gets the well‑earned rest she deserves.
