Page 196 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 10 February 2016

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Adjournment

Cancer Support Group ACT Eden Monaro’s Own—fundraiser

MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Racing and Gaming and Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations) (5.26): I move:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

I rise tonight to speak about my recent attendance at the Cancer Support Group ACT Eden Monaro’s Own convoy for cancer family day held on 31 January. The convoy is an annual event in its 18th year run by the support group and involves members of the community coming together to raise money for those living with cancer. Individuals or companies are able to pay a registration fee and join in on the drive which, this year, ran from the Beard industrial estate to Exhibition Park in Canberra. It was an amazing sight, with over 400 motorcycle riders, including me, in attendance and many more trucks. It truly is touching to see not only the cancer support group and their sponsors but also so many members of the public coming together to raise money and awareness for such a great cause.

The charity that organises this amazing event, the Cancer Support Group ACT Eden Monaro’s Own, was founded in 1985 by Yvonne Cuschieri, who originally intended to send 13 local teenagers living with cancer to a CanTeen national camp. After Yvonne’s successful fundraising for these 13 teens social workers began asking for her help for other families who were facing crisis situations due to their illness. Over the years this once small charity organisation has grown to the point where it currently provides support for over 950 people in our community living with cancer. I am proud to say that, with ACT government assistance, the group has been able to put on two full-time office staff that help in the day-to-day running of the cancer support group and also provide emotional support to those who phone in.Throughout the year numerous companies make donations to the support group in order for this amazing day to take place. This year the major sponsors of the event included the Elvin Group, Holcim concrete in Fyshwick, TJS transport and Icon Water. In addition to sponsor donations, individuals or companies can place bids to become the lead truck or bike for the convoy, with this money also going directly to the company to sponsor its great work.

The event itself serves two primary functions: firstly, it is a day aimed at increasing the awareness of the cancer support group and the important service it provides to those in our community living with cancer; and, secondly, it serves as a day out for those in our community living with this horrible disease.

The cancer support group recognises the tremendous effect that this disease has not only on sufferers’ health but also their family life and gives people living with the disease opportunities to enjoy a day out with their families. That is, sometimes, increasingly difficult. This is what this event aims to serve as—a day where individuals and their families can enjoy a day out and relax.


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