WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026
BOX HILL MP SUPPORTS IRANIAN COMMUNITY ‘Proud people, highly educated’
● Paul Hamer, Box Hill MLA
■ Paul Hamer, Box Hill MLA, has voiced his solidarity with our Victorian Iranian community. Mr Hamer told Parliament that his support was particularly for the large number of Iranian Australians who live in the Box Hill electorate. “Over the last six weeks we have seen awful images and heard terrible stories emerging from the streets of Iran as the Iranian regime has brutally cracked down on its local population. “Many local families are having to deal with the trauma of not knowing the whereabouts of loved ones or having loved ones detained or killed, with demands for money being made to secure their release. “The Iranian people are a proud people and continue cultural traditions that have existed for thousands of years. “They are highly educated members of our community who have made new lives in Australia, with success in all disciplines, and contribute to community activities, including Box Hill’s own Persian Fair. “The vast majority came to Australia to escape the regime, and all share the same vision that the Iranian people determine and shape the destiny of their own country,” Mr Hamer said.
SALUTE TO LOCAL FIRE VOLUNTEERS
■ Rowville MLA Kim Wells has spoken in State Parliament about his high regard for local firefighting volunteers. “I rise today to acknowledge the extraordinary bravery and dedication of our local CFA volunteers during what has been a devastating 2025–26 bushfire season,” Mr Wells told the Legislative Assembly. “Over the course of this summer Victoria has faced catastrophic conditions, especially across the Wimmera, north-central, north-east and Gippsland regions. “While many of us were seeking relief from the heat, the men and women of the Rowville and Scoresby CFA brigades were doing the exact opposite, heading into danger to protect lives and property while endangering their own. “I want to specifically highlight the efforts of our local strike teams. Members from both Rowville and Scoresby have been deployed nearly every day, primarily to the north-central town of Alexandra, providing significant support to the tragic Longwood and Walwa fires, which claimed over 135,000 hectares. “In particular, Scoresby’s hose lay has been pumping critical magnitude amounts of water supply to be a major part of the bushfire response, while Rowville’s drones have been deployed throughout the state to provide crucial information to form a strategic response. I are immensely proud of you. Your commitment is the backbone of our community safety.”
● Kim Wells, Rowville MLA