Mr TONY SMITH (Casey) (10:30): It is my pleasure to rise this morning to congratulate and pay tribute to the staff, the students and the parents at Mooroolbark East Primary School in the electorate of Casey. Last Friday morning, on a very hot and windy Melbourne day, I had the pleasure of attending Mooroolbark East Primary School to help officiate at a very important event: the school's Relay For Life for the Cancer Council. The school team competed in the Relay For Life over the weekend, but the entire school participated in its own relay on the school oval throughout the Friday. The 460 children at Mooroolbark East Primary School all combined to raise money for the important cause of cancer research and to raise awareness. More than $2,000 was raised, with all the students at the school walking throughout the school day. I want to pay tribute to the organisers: the school principal, Debbie Nelsson; the assistant principal, Sandra Marianello; and Matt Henry, from the school organising committee.
As all of us know, everyone is touched, one way or another, by cancer. We all know a cancer survivor or someone who has passed away because of cancer. So to see this great community effort was very uplifting and inspiring. Special guests at the ceremony included Victoria Police Detective Inspector Peter Wheeler; a Cancer Council International Hero of Hope, Gaye Bobbine; and Michael, known as 'Mr Relay', who is a cancer survivor of some 30 years, I think, and who was there to help officiate on the day. Mooroolbark East Primary School deserves congratulations for playing its part, for celebrating, for fighting back and for doing everything it can so that one day in the future—hopefully in the lifetimes of the schoolchildren themselves—we will see a cure for cancer.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I thank the honourable member. On behalf of all honourable members I commend the school on its support for this very worthy cause.
Last Friday morning, on a very hot and windy Melbourne day, I had the pleasure of attending Mooroolbark East Primary School to help officiate at a very important event: the school's Relay For Life for the Cancer Council.
The school team competed in the Relay For Life over the weekend, but the entire school, over 460 students, participated in its own relay on the school oval throughout the day, raising more than $2000.
Congratulations to the staff, the students and the parents at Mooroolbark East Primary School for their support of such an important cause.
As all of us know, everyone is touched, one way or another, by cancer. We all know a cancer survivor or someone who has passed away because of cancer. So to see this great community effort was very uplifting and inspiring.
20 enthusiastic cyclists set off on a 1100km charity bike ride from Canberra to Melbourne on Saturday 12 November 2011 to raise awareness of heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
I had the pleasure of welcoming Paceline-founder Steve Quinn and his team of tired cyclists as they rode into Healesville on Friday 18 November for their last overnight stop. The team had just completed a 167km ride from Mansfield to Healesville in the scorching sun and were eager to cool down at Queens Park.
Four of the riders, including Steve and former Australian Cycling Champion, Will Walker, have been diagnosed with heart arrhythmias
The aim of the weeklong Paceline ride is to raise funds for urgent medical research into causes and treatments on behalf of those who suffer from cardiac arrhythmias or an irregular heartbeat. It is also the aim of Paceline to raise awareness of this condition and encourage people to get their pulse checked next time they see their doctor
Throughout 2011, Paceline has raised $56,760 that will be donated to Australia’s world class research facilities: the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. It’s not too late to make a donation through the Paceline website www.paceline.com.au
With more than 400,000 Australians having one kind of cardiac arrhythmia or another and this number constantly growing, it’s essential that every effort should be made to promote understanding and develop treatments.
3pm Saturday – 9am Sunday
Don Road Sports Complex, Healesville
Relay for Life is the world’s biggest fundraising event for cancer research, and it is returning to the Shire of Yarra Ranges!
Relay for Life is an overnight, community event where teams of 10-15 participate in a relay style walk or run to raise funds for the Cancer Council. The event brings the whole community together for a night of fun, entertainment, celebration and remembrance.
Tony met with Kaitlin Morrow, the chair of the committee and committee member Samantha Morrow (pictured with Tony) who said there are currently 36 teams taking part in the event with team registrations closing at 5pm Friday 28 October.
Anyone can join the relay, there are no age limitations or fitness requirements – it’s not even a race. So go on, what are you waiting for? Register your team to Relay for a cause today and Relay for Life!
To get involved in this fantastic event or make a donation visit www.yarrarangesrfl.org/
The committee are also seeking donations from businesses so they can give out prizes at the event. If you are interested in making any form of donation, please email the Kaitlin: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mr TONY SMITH (Casey) (16:30): I would like to talk about two events in my electorate that exemplify the best of the Australian spirit. On a cold and rainy Sunday morning a couple of weekends ago, 245 people of all ages braved inclement weather to take part in the Mental Health Fun Run at Lillydale Lake. The fun run was organised by Yarra Ranges Youth Services and the Shire of Yarra Ranges 2011 Young Citizen of the Year, Sam Taylor. There were 71 people who completed the five-kilometre run and 174 people who completed the 2½-kilometre walk. A total of $2,680 was raised, with the proceeds being donated to beyondblue to fight depressive mental illness.
It is fantastic to see people coming together to raise awareness and much-needed money for such an important cause. Joining Sam Taylor in organising this event was Sharon Patton, who led a hardworking team from the Shire of Yarra Ranges Youth Services. I would like to salute all the volunteers from Yarra Ranges Youth Services for their vital help with this event.
Moving from things past to things future, the Yarra Ranges Relay for Life is going to be held this coming weekend at the Don Road Sporting Complex in Healesville, in the Casey electorate. Relay for Life is the world's biggest fundraising event for cancer research, but it is more than just the chance to collect money. It also provides the opportunity to remember friends and family who have been lost to this dreaded disease and to thank those who have helped care for cancer patients. The candlelight ceremony is perhaps the most poignant part of the relay. It includes tribute bags that line the course, with personal messages of love and support. Then, as dusk falls, memorial candles light up the memory of those cherished loved ones who are so dearly missed.
