Melbourne MP praises Jump Left in Federal Parliament after visit
Jump Left was delighted to welcome Member for Melbourne, Ms Sarah Witty MP to Jump Left recently after she kindly accepted the invitation to visit the gallery, see the current exhibition - I Ain’t No Fancy Bird by Maya Tamang - and meet the Jump Left and ArtGusto (Geelong) team and some of the studio artists.
Ms Witty expressed her admiration for the artists and the work being done at Jump Left, and her warmth was appreciated by all.
From Left to Right: Christian Den Besten and Sharon Bromley from ArtGusto (Geelong), Sarah Witty MP, Sim Luttin and Maya Tamang from Jump Left.
Ms Witty also took the time to listen to feedback from Jump Left founder and director, Sim Luttin and sector project partner Sharon Bromley from Art Gusto (Geelong) regarding the proposed changes to the NDIS. Together they had a constructive discussion about improvements needed broadly within the NDIS and about the potential benefits and challenges of the changes, particularly as they were likely to impact small businesses and their clientele.
Following her visit in late July, Ms Witty made generous comments about Jump Left and director Sim Luttin in her constituency statement to the Federal Parliament in August. She stated:
“In the beautiful heritage building Donkey Wheel House in Melbourne, you will find many different organisations working to improve people's lives. You'll also find Jump Left, an art studio founded by Sim Luttin. Sim is doing incredible work creating opportunities for artists with disabilities. A safe space for people to express their creativity alongside others and that welcomes their uniqueness, Jump Left shows that we are at our best when we are inclusive and open to our differences. It was great to meet the artists and hear about how important these kinds of places are to their lives. Melbourne is a creative heart of our country and organisations like Jump Left help ensure it remains that way by creating spaces where everyone can participate and belong.”
She added: “I'm proud to represent an electorate that is home to social enterprises, community organisations and charities working every day to improve people's lives and strengthen our community. These organisations reflect the values that make Melbourne such a special place: compassion, creativity, inclusion and a commitment to help others succeed.”
In response to the comments Sim Luttin said “We are very grateful to Ms Witty for taking a genuine interest in what we are doing at Jump Left, and for taking the time to hear about our achievements, concerns and plans for the future. It matters to small organisations providing community services that they are heard on policy matters affecting them, and in so doing recognised for their important contribution to our community and the cultural landscape.”
You can read Ms Witty’s full parliamentary speech here.
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Article by Victor Griss.