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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 10 Hansard (14 October) . . Page.. 3209 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

the house. Because of the enormous assistance that they have received from organisations around Canberra, the final cost of the house to Bosom Buddies was $8,000, and they are looking to this as a major fundraiser for them. I urge members to support that art union raffle, which will be drawn in a couple of months time. I understand they still have a significant number of tickets to sell.

If I can continue after that small advertisement for the art union, I did want to say that last night's function was a truly inspiring occasion. To witness the enormous strength and vitality of the fashion parade models, all of whom had had breast cancer and survived, was humbling and, as I said earlier, simply inspiring. I came away from the evening with tremendous admiration for the determination of each of these wonderful people to live life to the full and, along the way, as was oft said during the evening, to take the time to smell the roses.

The evening was very important in highlighting the devastating impact of breast cancer and the need for us to devote all our energies to research aimed at finding a cure. Until a cure is found, we need to continue to improve the treatment of breast cancer. It was also a great opportunity for all participants to take stock of their own lives and, in doing that, to take the time to admire the tremendous strength and determination of those who had actually suffered this disease and survived it. These people have a determination to continue to live their lives fully, to live complete lives with their families. It was a true lesson to those of us who have not suffered that particular disease. Breast cancer is a terrible disease. It impacts on so many people, on so many families and on so many friends.

MR HIRD (6.14): I would like to join with the Leader of the Opposition in the sentiments that he just elaborated to the house. I concur with every observation that he has made about the strength of people affected by breast cancer, including the way in which Bosom Buddies bring this dramatic and devastating problem to the attention of not just the community but also the respective families.

MR BERRY (6.15): I would like to recognise the sporting achievements of a young man in the ACT. I was fortunate enough to be at ACT Soccer's presentations last Friday evening, and I witnessed the myriad of well-earned awards that were handed out during the evening. I would like to recognise all those people who received awards but, in particular, I would like to draw attention to the achievements of Oscar Zamora, a young man who won the ACT's best player award. Oscar comes from a family who left El Salvador when it was in troubled circumstances, and that family now plays a role in the community in the Australian Capital Territory.

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