Page 2478 - Week 06 - Thursday, 24 June 2010
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our heritage. I look forward to experiencing more highland dancing at Joy Reiher’s School of Scottish Dancing competition to be held in October.
Finally, I note there is a group of pipers heading across to the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland next month. I hope everyone on the tour has a successful and enjoyable time.
Ms Dainere Anthoney
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (5.23): On Wednesday, 21 April this year I had the privilege of speaking at the book launch of You Have to Go Through a Storm to Get to a Rainbow.
What was remarkable about this particular launch was that the book was written by an extraordinary young lady, Dainere Anthoney. Eleven-year-old Dainere was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a malignant and aggressive brain cancer, last year.
The book tells her story, which she updates on her blog, of her challenges and her trials. I had never actually met Dainere before going to the book launch; I had only seen her on Stateline, where there was a wonderful piece about her story. But when I met her I was so impressed by her courage. I was impressed by how articulate she is, both in spoken and written form. Although writing is her passion, she expresses herself very well, well beyond her years. I was also particularly impressed by her very positive outlook on life. After the launch, I received an email from Dainere, which was very touching. Dainere wrote:
Thank you so much for coming to the launch of my book ‘You have to go through a storm to get to a Rainbow,’ having you there made the day extra special.
Our world is a better place because of people like you. Together we are all going to be helping so many people and making such a difference to their lives. Perhaps one day, because we care, a cure or better treatment for children with Brain Tumours may be found.
If I could reach up and hold a star for every person who was so kind and generous in the purchasing and supporting of my book then I would have the entire sky in the palm of my hand.
This was a touching message of thanks from a very special young lady.
I would also like to acknowledge the many Starlight Foundation volunteers who worked with Dainere to make her special day possible. Without the hard work of the Starlight Foundation and its volunteers, Dainere’s wish would not have come true. To Paul Gordon, Tess Kyprios, Emilia Armytage, Anita Duffin and, of course, Captain Starlight: thank you; also to Yvonne and Stephen Anthoney, Dainere’s parents, and her brothers and sisters, who have done so much to support her through what has been an extraordinarily difficult time.
I would also like to take this opportunity to mention West Tigers footballer Benji Marshall. Dainere is a devoted West Tigers fan, and a touching message from
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