Hunter Stroke Olympics

Mr CRAIG BAUMANN (Port Stephens) [12.54 p.m.]: Today I advise the House of an outstanding event established in Port Stephens to help people who have suffered a stroke: the Hunter Stroke Olympics. It was 18 years ago that the Hunter Area Stroke Olympics was born. The event was designed to aid recovery and enhance self-confidence of stroke survivors. This event has benefited more than 2,000 stroke survivors, their families and carers. More than 18 stroke recovery cubs and 150 participants take part each year. Those behind the event say the benefits of the Stroke Olympics in rebuilding the confidence of stroke survivors are immeasurable. As the organisers say, "Success for individuals living with the disabling affects of stroke is not in winning, it is the opportunity and ability to participate in such a wonderful event."

But the Stroke Olympics are as much about socialising as they are about competing. It is well known that survivors of any illness or accident find great comfort in spending time with people who have suffered as they have. Similarly, it is a chance for the families of carers of someone who has survived a stroke to get to meet others. The Stroke Olympics was the brainchild of stroke recovery clubs in this region, in particular, the Raymond Terrace Stroke Recovery Club and a dedicated member of the club, Bill Bobbins, OAM. Bill is a well-known, well-loved and hardworking member of the Port Stephens community. A member of the Order of Australia, Bill Bobbins celebrated his twenty-first birthday as a member of 16th Brigade on the Kokoda Track in World War II. He spent the next 66 years as a tireless worker for the community. He started Scout groups, and ran Raymond Terrace soccer and Neighbourhood Watch. At 87, other than raising and lowering Raymond Terrace's Australian flag daily, Bill spends a great deal of his time organising, promoting and driving the Hunter Stroke Olympics.

Today, the Hunter Area Stroke Olympics is a one-day event, held annually in October and includes stroke recovery clubs from the upper Hunter area, Forster, Tuncurry and the Central Coast. Competitions include quoits, carpet bowls, euchre, Bob's golf, or putting, dominos and skittles. The strength in the Stroke Olympics lies in the hard work and dedication of volunteers. Venues are usually a registered club, to minimise the cost for participants. Judges are volunteers from the local area who are not associated with a stroke club. A trophy is also awarded to the stroke recovery club that scores the most points—the Champion Stroke Recovery Club. Organisers say that this creates a lot of interest and competitiveness amongst the clubs. The organisers of the Hunter Stroke Olympics now want to expand this worthwhile event right across the State, with the aim one day of having a statewide championship. But any growth or development of this unique program is restricted without financial support.

There is only so much that these hardworking volunteers can do. Money is raised for the event through raffle prizes from member stroke recovery clubs, with donations from local businesses as well as a reduction in the cost of medals and trophies from the local trophy shop. But for this event to grow, it needs more support than that, and that support must come from governments at all levels. I have made representations to the Minister for Disability Services in the hope of securing funding for this event, to ensure people who have suffered a stroke can continue to take part in this great event. It is vital for governments at all levels to support worthwhile community-based causes, groups and events just like the Hunter Stroke Olympics. Investing in these community groups is as important as spending money on hospitals, roads and transport.

We now wait in hope of a good result for the Commonwealth Bank Regional Community Services Awards for this year, for which the Hunter Stroke Olympics has been nominated. Clearly, the Hunter Stroke Olympics are more than worthy of winning these awards and would give these fabulous volunteers the reward and recognition they deserve. The next Hunter Stroke Olympics will take place at Hexham Bowling Club on Wednesday 15 October 2008. I issue an open invitation for all members to attend so that they can see the benefits to victims and their carers firsthand and perhaps be inspired to encourage a New South Wales Stroke Olympics.