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- 3 July 2003
Russell Crowe Community Involvement
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Page: 2883
Mr FRASER (Coffs Harbour) [5.21 p.m.]: I inform the House of some good works done in my community of Coffs Harbour and in the adjoining community of Clarence. Oftentimes people in public office and those with a high profile are denigrated, probably because of the tall poppy syndrome. The good works I will refer to were carried out by a person who is not one of my constituents—he lives slightly outside my electorate. However, he does a tremendous amount of good work in my electorate and the surrounding areas. That person is one Russell Crowe, who is well known in Australia for his acting. In fact, to some extent he has put Coffs Harbour on the map. The general public is not aware of his work in the community. The school at Nana Glen, the village closest to his home, has needed a swimming pool for many years. This need was highlighted during the recent drought. Russell received permission from the Department of Education and Training and paid for a swimming pool to be constructed at the school. Out of his own pocket, he gave the children at the school and those in the district a swimming pool, saving them the 25-minute trip to the nearest beach or the town pool.
Russell, his father, Alex, Mrs Crowe and his brother Terry take an active interest in all community affairs. If a community meeting is held to discuss rural land planning, highway deviations or other matters often Alex, Terry and Mrs Crowe will be in the audience. They participate in a genuine, proactive and productive manner. Russell has been supportive of the Orara Valley Axemen, the local league team. He is often seen sitting among the crowd in the stand, supporting that team. He is as supportive of that team as he is of South Sydney Leagues Club. Through his connections at South Sydney, that team visited my electorate and held some training sessions for the local team and the local schoolchildren at Coranba Oval. Russell likes to have a beer at the Coranba pub—he is one of its few community members.
Of late, Russell has been supportive of the Ulong Ex-Services Club, which tragically lost its clubhouse by fire a few weeks ago. I thank the Government for allowing the club to transfer its licence to the local town hall and village green in order for it to continue trading. The club is the only focal point for residents of the town. Russell has paid for the establishment of a community scheme called Heart Start in the isolated towns of Glenreagh and Coranba. Under that scheme local people can be telephoned when someone has a heart problem or other serious medical emergency. Local community members are trained to lend assistance until such time as trained medical help arrives by way of ambulance or doctor.
I have given examples of some things that Russell and his family have done for the community. I was prompted to raise this matter by recent media comments about Russell and a little problem at the Coffs Harbour hotel quite a long while ago. I suppose it is easy for people to have a go at popular people, but it is rare that they get thanked for the good work they do behind the scenes. To Russell and his family I say thank you very much for the great job you do on behalf of the community, not only in the projects I have mentioned but in the dozens of other things you have done. I know that Russell always has his hand in his pocket for something for the community. I wish Russell and Danielle all the best for the future. It is as though they live in a goldfish bowl on their lovely property west of Nana Glen. I place my thanks and the community's thanks on the record for a great job well done. It is greatly appreciated by the community.
Miss BURTON (Kogarah—Parliamentary Secretary) [5.26 p.m.]: I support the comments of the honourable member for Coffs Harbour. On the weekend that Russell Crowe was married, my brother was also married in Coffs Harbour. I remember getting off the plane with all the paparazzi and I said to my brother, "Gee, you're popular up here!" Russell has contributed a lot to the community. I agree with the comment that high-profile people do not get the thanks they deserve for their community work. As noted earlier today, the media is intent on scandal and stories that sell newspapers and magazines. The media thinks that people are not interested in good stories about the nice things that people do or in recognising good things that people do. It is fitting that the honourable member for Coffs Harbour acknowledged on the parliamentary record the commitment of Russell Crowe and his family to the community. On behalf of the Government, I pass on our congratulations to him and his family on their support of the local community. That has not gone unnoticed, particularly by local residents.
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