ClubsNSW Carlennium
| About this Item |
Subjects | Festivals; Music; Clubs |
Speakers | Hay Ms Noreen |
Business | Private Members Statements |
Page: 11191
Ms NOREEN HAY (Wollongong) [5.51 p.m.]: I bring to the attention of the House a recent event that took place in Wollongong, an event that combines the spirit of giving and some of the greatest rock and roll hits ever to hit the charts. I am referring to the Rock Legends Bash which was held on Saturday 11 September and hosted by the Shepherd Centre at the Illawarra Master Builders Club. Companies were encouraged to buy an official Rock Legend table for the event. By paying an extra premium donation to the Shepherd Centre they could compete in the Rock Legends Challenge. To do that they could either have those at their table sing one of their legend's hits with the band—
Mr Wayne Merton: What did you sing?
Ms NOREEN HAY: I had a professional entertainer sing a song for me. As a judge, I know the professional entertainer was extremely good. I presented the prize, which was a fabulous trophy called "The Rock" donated by Creations in Glass and also the naming and logo rights to the $100,000 Carlennium funny money, which was used at the event instead of real cash. Ten acts, including Tom Jones, Jennifer Lopez and Sonny and Cher, went head to head. The evaluation panel was made up of lawyer Malcolm Heard, Illawarra Regional Information Service boss Martin O'Shannessy and myself—and can I say that the performers were no Australian Idols! Whilst the scores fluctuated wildly, "ABBAritions" by Hilton King lawyers managed to walk away with the honours. The Rock Legends Bash was held to launch the Wollongong flagship event, ClubsNSW Carlennium 2005. At the end of the performances the Wollongong lady mayoress, Ms Michelle Darling, ClubsNSW Keno Executive Director Raelene Breakwell, Illawarra Master Builders board member John Carr, and Shepherd Centre Director Trudy Mitchell detonated a fireworks display which launched the Shake, Rattle and Roll Legends Tour, Carlennium 2005.
ClubsNSW Carlennium is a Wollongong innovation and has proved itself to be a first-class driving event in every sense of the word. It is strongly supported by the Illawarra and Wollongong communities, with people coming from across the State to enter. I know my colleagues in the Illawarra—the honourable member for Heathcote, Paul Macleay; the honourable member for Illawarra, Marianne Saliba; the honourable member for Kiama, Matt Brown, and the Minister for the Illawarra—are supportive of this event, which is held to benefit the Shepherd Centre. It is a fantastic way to promote a product, business, town or tourism facility. Each year the event takes a different theme based on where the Carlennium travels to. This year the theme was the shake, rattle and roll legends tour. Each day is also themed, and entrants are encouraged to dress the part. Networking opportunities are endless. However, many just come along for the great drive and to help promote the spirit of goodwill and community in country areas of New South Wales.
The event is not a race or rally. The most important thing is that speed is not important. It is an untimed navigational event that takes people on a magnificent drive into the pristine countryside of New South Wales. Along the way participants join in some fun and games with the local communities in the event's stopover towns. Whilst the event travels over some dirt roads, it does not leave public roads. The safety of passengers and vehicles is of the greatest importance. Any vehicle can participate, providing it is roadworthy and meets scrutineering standards. The entrants' preference is always for attention-grabbing older vehicles, with over-the-top decorations and cleverly co-ordinated car and crew themes. Corporate buses are also part of the event. Despite all the fun and madness, the ClubsNSW Carlennium has a serious side, that is, raising funds for the Shepherd Centre. Over the past four years the Carlennium has raised more than $700,000.
The Shepherd Centre assists deaf and hearing-impaired children to speak and communicate in a normal hearing world. It supports six centres across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The honourable member for Illawarra and I are considering entering the 2005 Carlennium spectacular. The programs are family centred, with the parents being taught how to best assist and raise their deaf children to lead normal lives. The Shepherd Centre services are provided free of charge. However, limited funding makes it necessary for the centre to rely on special support groups and the general public to generate enough funds to provide required equipment, facilities, staffing and services.