Monday, 5 May 2025
Government House
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

Bujari gamarruwa, Diyn Babana Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

In greeting you in the language of this land’s Traditional Owners, the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, I pay my respects to Gadigal Elders, past, present and emerging, and to Elders of the lands across the Harbour on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

There are a quite a few words that one constantly hears in speeches, on the radio, in political commentary and the like.  ‘Community’ is one; ‘vulnerable’ is another; ‘homelessness’; ‘family violence’; ‘cost of living crisis causing people to skip meals’; ‘unemployment’ are others. All of these words and phrases are familiar to everyone in this room tonight – indeed, the word ‘community’ was part of your name until you rebranded as LocalKind last year. 

Leaving the word ‘community’ aside for a moment, it is one thing to hear these words, it is something else to experience them. And we sometimes forget – or don’t even know - that in a beautiful beachside suburb such as Manly, those problems not only exist, they are the daily fare of too many people in the area, nearly 8000 of whom walk through the doors of LocalKind every year.

One can ask, almost rhetorically: Where would they go otherwise?  I say ‘almost rhetorically’ because whilst there are services in the area, there are simply not enough – which is why the work of LocalKind is so important. 

LocalKind has now had ‘skin in the game’ in the Manly area for nearly 50 years – established in 1977 by a small group of locals.  You were instrumental in setting up the Northern Beaches Women Shelter in 2010, which was the first women’s shelter of the Women’s Community Network, of which I am proud to be Patron.

And if I may return to that word “community’ - that is a word we all understand and certainly the people at LocalKind experience every day. As a community of dedicated individuals, you have provided those 8000 people annually with a sense of belonging, a sense of hope – and a sense that someone thinks that they are worthy individuals. 

With 100 volunteers; dedicated staff led by Craig Stevens; your Board and your Patrons, James Griffin and Sue Heins; your generous partners and supporters - LocalKind gives those who seek its help, a sense of dignity - because there is no judgment pronounced on those who walk through your doors. 

That is what a community is all about and with LocalKind you can feel it when you walk through the doors and you can feel it when you come together as you do tonight.

Was there anything wrong with your old name: Community Northern Beaches? Not really, but what to me was so important and so impressive about your rebrand is ‘why’ you did it.  As you announced, it wasn’t ‘merely a rebranding’.  Reading from your public statement at the time:

“It’s a movement dedicated to improving the well-being of the entire community by cultivating a culture of kindness. This movement aims to unite individuals and entities committed to fostering a culture of kindness and support within our community. In a world where you can be anything, LocalKind asks people to be kind and help change a local’s life. It signifies a collaborative effort, showcasing the strength of collective action and shared values. Some research suggests that acts of kindness can positively impact both the giver and the recipient, contributing to improved immune function, lower blood pressure, enhanced emotional well-being, and, potentially, better overall health.”[1]

It sounds as though your rebranding should have a rebranded subtext – ‘Welcome to Medicine 101’.

How does it work on the ground?  This is how one client put it:

 “[You][2] have given me food and clothing and helped me get back on my feet … [You] always listen … Without [you], I'd be on the streets. [You] helped me connect with the Women's Shelter. [You] helped me get temporary accommodation, kept me safe, and advocated for me. With [your] help and the Women's Shelter, I was able to get housing. Without [you], I wouldn't be here.”[3]

That is the power of LocalKind, of which every person here tonight is a part.  Thank you. 

[1] https://www.localkind.org.au/story/introducing-localkind/

[2] ‘They’ and ‘them’ replaced with ‘you’.

[3] Community Northern Beaches (predecessor of LocalKind) Annual Report 2022-23, page 10