Alister Henskens portrait
Alister Henskens portrait

A Friend's Place

A Friend's Place

Mr ALISTER HENSKENS (Wahroonga) (20:49): One in 20 children in Australia loses a parent or sibling before the age of 18. Coping with such a loss can be incredibly challenging, which is why organisations like A Friend's Place, formerly called the National Centre for Childhood Grief, are so important. Now located in the Wahroonga electorate in the suburb of Hornsby, A Friend's Place was founded in 1994 and provides support to grieving children and their families, helping them navigate their grief and build a full and meaningful life. I was delighted to visit the centre for the opening of Bianca's Garden and the new potting shed. That project was made possible through a Community Building Partnership grant of $12,000, which I was proud to support, as well as generous donations from Ken and Chris White. The garden offers a peaceful space where children can connect with nature, create something living in memory of their loved one and feel safe expressing their feelings. I thank all the counsellors and staff at A Friend's Place for the important work they do.