Narellan Friends of Rotary Charity Ball

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-103363

Hansard session: Fifty-Sixth Parliament, First Session (56-1)

Narellan Friends of Rotary Charity Ball

Mr CHRIS PATTERSON (Camden) (17:19:57):

On Saturday 11 August I attended the wonderful Friends of Rotary Charity Ball organised by the Rotary Club of Narellan with the member for Macquarie Fields, the member for Campbelltown and the member for Holsworthy. We were hosted by Jim and Marion Marsden. They are wonderful friends and wonderful people. Jim Marsden and Terry Goldacre did a great job as masters of ceremonies. The night went well. The Rotary Club of Narellan is one of those organisations that never fails to astound. The ball has been held for 20 years, and in that 20 years Narellan Rotary has raised more than $15 million. We can add to that sum the more than $1.5 million the club raised on Saturday night, when John Ingham donated a cheque for $1 million on behalf of the Ingham family.

Not only does the Rotary Club of Narellan contribute so much to our community through all its good work; it is also able to raise large amounts of money and invest them back into the community. I do not think another Rotary club in the State or the country has the same ability. Every member of the Rotary Club of Narellan should be congratulated on that wonderful effort. Marty Magro is a great mate of mine and does an outstanding job as president of the club. I attended the changeover dinner last month when he took over. I acknowledge the ball committee: President Marty Magro, ball committee member Phil Dowd, Chairman Andrew Moyle, Treasurer Louie Sbirziola, Secretary Ruth Morrison—who many call the "glue" of the club—and Tony Perich, who was in charge of sponsorship. They did an outstanding job and should be commended for a wonderful night. They give so much to our local community and to so many groups.

One of the causes they supported that night was the Western Sydney University medical scholarships. The Rotary club has supported undergraduate school of medicine scholarships since the school's inception in 2007. Since then it has supported 14 doctors who are making a real difference to and who are impacting on the Western Sydney community. Another theme of the night was supporting multiple sclerosis [MS] molecular research. As stated in its report of last year, the Rotary Club of Narellan is working with Western Sydney University on the hypothesis that the drug cuprizone can be used to model the key factors of MS in humans. They are pleased that they can now demonstrate this work for the first time. For the Rotary club to support Western Sydney University in that manner is just outstanding.

I was asked to say a few words about Paul Harris Fellow recognition, which is a great privilege. People who are associated with Rotary know that recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow is the greatest honour that can be bestowed upon a member. I was privileged to receive a medal from Narellan Rotary a few years ago. It was lovely to be able to commend the other Paul Harris Fellow recipients in the room, knowing what it means to a Rotarian to receive that medallion. My father was a Paul Harris Fellow medal recipient and a former member of both Camden and Balmain Rotary clubs. In 2011, when I was first elected to Parliament, I hosted the Rotary Club of Balmain in Parliament House and my dad received his Paul Harris Fellow from then Premier Barry O'Farrell.

It was one of the few times I have seen Dad overwhelmed. Knowing what it meant to him and to all Rotarians, I can sincerely say that it was a wonderful award to receive and something of which I am proud, as all Rotarians are. I cannot speak highly enough of Narellan Rotary. It is an outstanding contributor to my local area and to the wider community. Over 20 years it has raised and donated approximately $17 million to our community. That is something for which should be commended.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER:

I am sure that the member's father was a worthy recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow medallion.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (17:25:13):

I congratulate the member for Camden and acknowledge his great work and, more importantly, the great work of Narellan Rotary. Raising $17 million over 20 years shows what an outstanding club it is. I am sure it is run by a core group of five or 10 members. My wife is a Rotarian. I acknowledge all Rotary clubs not only in the electorate of the member for Camden but also in my electorate. My wife's Rotary club, the Rotary Club of St George, is currently running the Kids at Play project, which is linked with St George Hospital and looking at fundraising there as well. The club is doing some great work. Rotary clubs across New South Wales and Australia do a great job in their local communities. At present many of them are collecting much-needed money for our rural and regional brothers and sisters who are doing it tough.