Oatley Lions Club

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-110478

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Oatley Lions Club

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (18:08:54):Oatley, the electorate that I represent, is built on community spirit. So today I commend the outstanding result achieved by Oatley Lions Club in its fundraising efforts through the Farmers Christmas Bush Bash Project.Oatley Lions Club, of which I am a member, is a group of enthusiastic volunteers who contribute to the Oatley community through a wide variety of local and national community projects. They consistently act to deliver resources and funds to the most vulnerable and at risk in our society.As everyone in the House will know, New South Wales has been devastated by one of the worst droughts in living history, which has left our farmers and their families unable to maintain their herds and crops. For many families in western New South Wales affected by the drought, the joy that only Christmas can bring was as remote to them as the rain.

It was incredibly hard to listen to the stories of our farmers and not feel one's heart lurch with the need to help them. The Oatley Lions Club felt particularly drawn to the cause, as many of us were, and came together to rally the St George community with an exciting project. The Lions Farmers Christmas Bush Bash Project aimed to restore some Christmas joy and hope to the drought-stricken town of Geurie, New South Wales.Geurie is a small village located near Dubbo in Central West New South Wales and has faced strict water restrictions for the past two years. Farming families in the area have reported empty dams and tanks, forcing them to truck in water to maintain their crops and herds.

As we know, not only has the drought had an economic impact on farmsbut also farmers have been reporting higher levels of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. This sad reality is no different in Geurie and the surrounding areas, further emphasising the importance of the work of the Lions Club in bringing the community together to socialise and lean on each other for support in these extremely tough times. Lions succeeded in raising more than $30,000, which allowed the club to hold a fantastic Christmas Bush Bash on 15 December 2019.

Included in the celebration was a barbecue hosted by Oatley Lions volunteers, $11,000 in food and fuel vouchers, $5,000 worth of water, a jumping castle, a 20-piece choir, clothing and hampers as well as a special appearance from Santa, who distributed hundreds of toys to the delight of the kids present. With more than 75 families attending the event, which had over 400 attendees in total, the project was a massive success.When I spoke to some of the Lions volunteers afterwards, they recounted fond memories of the genuine smiles and laughter of both the parents and children while receiving their sausage sandwiches and presents from Santa.

For many of the attendees the barbecue was the first time in months they were able to reconnect with neighbours and friends.Importantly, this initiative led by the Oatley Lions Club sent a message to the people of Geurie, New South Wales, that the people of St George are thinking of them and understand their current plight and the importance of food production to this country and this State. I am proud to represent an electorate that donates so generously to those in need and refuses to sit by while another community struggles. This project is a true testament to the Australian spirit of mateship within the electorate of Oatley.I take this opportunity to thank once again every member of the Oatley Lions Club and our local Oatley community for getting behind this important project. I look forward to updating the House about future initiatives led by the Oatley Lions Club in the future.