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Mr THOMAS GEORGE (Lismore) [5.52 p.m.]: I speak about two fundraising events. I was a member of the official party at the Relay for Life that was held recently at Lismore. The event was organised by Don Whitelaw and John Bancroft and their team of willing workers. It attracted 37 teams, including families, footy clubs and workplace teams. Three people walked for 24 hours from 10.00 a.m. on Saturday until 10.00 a.m. on Sunday. That achievement demonstrates the Lismore community's spirit. Apparently the event raised between $35,000 to $40,000. A couple of weeks later, on Saturday 30 October, I attended another Relay for Life walk at Casino. Charlie Cox, the mayor of Casino, and his helpers attracted 37 teams.
Each event involved nearly 500 people, including cancer survivors, their families and friends. It was an inspirational event held to raise money for cancer research and to give hope to people battling the disease. The Casino organisers raised $30,000 before the walk started. I understand that they have now raised more than $40,000. The walk held three years ago at Casino began with a ribbon being cut by baby Olivia Transton with her mother's help. I know the Transton family very well. It was touching to see Olivia walk up and cut the ribbon on 30 October with the assistance of Ben Cowen, who attends the Casino Christian Community School at Casino. That school is behind Ben and his family with prayers and support. I congratulate and thank all those who took part in the Relay for Life walks in Casino and Lismore.
Last Sunday the 2004 2LM Children's Christmas Appeal was conducted. In my electorate the beneficiaries of the appeal are Jumbunna Early Intervention Program in Casino, Wilson Park Public School in Lismore, Child and Adolescent Specialist Programs and Accommodation [CASPA] in Lismore and Summerland Early Intervention Centre in Lismore. Each year the appeal raises money for much-needed children's services. This year I thought I had better do my bit for the appeal, so I rang the honourable member for Ballina and told him I would challenge 10 people to raise $500 each and we would walk from the 2LM studios to the airport, a distance of 12 kilometres down a steep hill.
I wanted to walk up the hill, but I could not get any challengers to walk up the hill with me. We ended up with 19 people supporting us and we raised $12,500. Everyone laughed at us when we suggested the idea, but at the end of the day it was for a good cause. In the electorate of Ballina, the beneficiaries of the appeal were Byron Shire Early Childhood Intervention Centre, Biala Special School in Ballina, and Ballina Early Intervention Centre. The people who accompanied me on the walk included Nyoli Scobie from The Northern Star, the honourable member for Ballina, Superintendent Bruce Lyons—
Mr Richard Torbay: He got me for some money too.
Mr THOMAS GEORGE: Yes. It was great that the honourable member for Northern Tablelands and the honourable member for Tamworth put in $50 each. I still have to collect the donations, so I am pleased that the honourable member for Northern Tablelands reminded me. Other walkers included Malcolm Marshall from the Southern Cross University; Dr Chris Ingall, a paediatrician; Rodney Johnson from Beach Buddy Security Box's; Neil Boyd from Westpac; Barry Edmonds from Farmer Charlie's; Brian Grant from George and Fuhrmann Real Estate; Bernie Hauville from Video Ezy; Lisa Lees from Rodney Lees Cabinet Making—her husband put up $500 so she could walk; Warwick Macdonald, Pam Basso and Lisa Waugh from The Professionals Bishops Real Estate; Trevor Sanders from St Vincent's Hospital; and Councillor John Chant. I thank all of them and their sponsors. It has been for a good cause and we have supported some very good organisations within our community.