St Marys Festival

Mr ANDERSON (Londonderry) [12.27 p.m.]: Madam Acting-Speaker, I bring to the attention of the House a number of functions that have happened and will happen in our combined electorates. Last Friday evening I had the privilege of representing you at the crowning of the Veil of St Marys. Continuously for 24 years the St Marys community has celebrated the St Marys festival, a festival sponsored by Penrith City Council and the local community. The celebration last weekend was as successful as any that has been held in the previous 24 years. Firstly, the weather was absolutely perfect. The Minister for the Olympics should note that the Saturday and Sunday of that weekend were acknowledged as the driest in Sydney’s record, so perhaps the grand opening of the Olympics should be held on that date so that we are guaranteed a dry day. The people have committed themselves very diligently to the festival.

I offer my congratulations to Miss Robyn Wise, the chairman of the group, so ably supported by Mrs Billie Randall and Mr Alf Randall, who have held executive positions for the full 24 years. They are ably supported by Brian King, Sydney Glover, Norm Strain and Jan Bergin. Those same people who were working last Saturday to make this the outstanding success that it was were at the very first festival. The weather was just fantastic and the crowd was estimated to be 35,000 to 40,000. That bears testimony to the success of the festival. The number of street stalls by community groups was again a record. More groups took the opportunity to participate in this festival than ever before. Again, it bears testimony to the wonderful community spirit that exists in our joint electorates.

I hope that that community spirit continues into this weekend. I warn the honourable member for Tamworth that the wonderful Tamworth Country and Western Music Festival is under attack from the Sydney Country and Western Music Festival. The Sydney festival started last year in the electorate of
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St Marys and is continuing this year. The response to our first venture in this field has been twice as good this year. I have enjoyed the hospitality and entertainment provided by the people of Tamworth over many years. I enjoy country and western music, as do many others. When Joe MacManamon offered to hold a country and western music festival in Sydney and asked whether we would be interested in participating, obviously we said that we were interested.

Members opposite are welcome to come along with their 10-gallon hats and enjoy the entertainment next weekend. All this is testimony to the community spirit that exists in our joint electorates. The community wants to be part of these festivals; it certainly supports the festivals. The number of people who attended last Saturday and the number of bookings we have received for the many functions that will be held over the next weekend bear testimony to the fact that the Sydney Country and Western Music Festival is going from strength to strength.

The service clubs in my area have jumped in with two feet; they want to be part of the festival. For example, the official opening will be held at the Penrith Sporting and Cultural Club on Friday night. There will be participation by Rooty Hill RSL, the St Marys Band Club, the St Marys Leagues Club, the St Marys RSL Club and the St Marys Bowling Club. All the clubs want to be part of this wonderful festival. They are all keen to hold a function on their premises. We compliment them on their participation. I hope that this is just another example of the ongoing strength of western Sydney.