Oatley Lions Club

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-96899

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

Oatley Lions Club

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (18:25:47):

I acknowledge and bring to the attention of the House the hard work, community spirit and commitment of the Lions Club of Oatley. I wish it a happy fortieth anniversary. It has been my honour and pleasure to work alongside members of the Lions Club of Oatley and I sincerely thank each and every one of them for their hard work, dedication and service to our local community. As a member of the Hurstville-St George Lions I know how much members contribute in order to improve the lives of people in our area and communities across Australia and the world.

The Lions Club of Oatley has been fortunate over these 40 years to attract the services of volunteers who are creative and passionate about making a difference—men and women whose membership has left an ongoing legacy of achievement. Over recent years the club has embarked on a number of substantial projects such as a $25,000 fundraising initiative for the St George Hospital Medical Research Centre and the development and partial funding of the hydrotherapy pool project. The Lions Club of Oatley has contributed $5,000 towards the development of St Jude's School in Tanzania. The school provides educational opportunities to some of the world's poorest and most disadvantaged children.

At a local level, the club funded a multipurpose room at Oatley Public School to foster a sense of inclusion within the school community. Additionally, the club coordinated a project for a local family that needed to purchase a suitably modified vehicle for the transport of a disabled child. The young child has a number of complex medical conditions, including cerebral palsy. An ordinary car is simply not equipped to carry a wheelchair and other mobility devices. Through the fundraising activities of the Oatley Lions Club this local family has been able to go on outings together and participate in and enjoy normal family activities. I know that they are incredibly grateful for the support of the Oatley Lions Club, and so am I.

One of the most innovative and worthwhile projects the club has undertaken is in supporting the use of the Hart Walker frame. The Hart Walker was developed through the Lions Club Children's Mobility Foundation. This piece of equipment provides mobility to children who cannot walk. To date the Lions Club of Oatley has funded eight Hart Walker frames for children and families in the local community. As the father of a young and active child I know the joy that comes from playing with my child in a park, riding a bike and building sandcastles at a beach. The Hart Walker allows disabled children and their families to experience this as well.

Local sporting clubs and schools have benefited from the club's fundraising and support along with local community groups such as Oatley Flora and Fauna Conservation Society and Oatley Heritage and Historical Society. I have had the pleasure of standing alongside many of the members of Oatley Lions at events such as the Lions Oatley Village Festival—usually manning the chocolate wheel—and last weekend there was Music in the Park. The Oatley Memorial Gardens Music in the Park brings together families and neighbours to enjoy music, food and great company. Professional bands entertain the crowd and the world famous Lions Club barbecue keeps everyone well fed. The atmosphere is warm and it is a highlight on the social calendar in my electorate.

The generosity of the Lions Club, whether it be through fairs, barbecues or its annual Harley Davidson motorcycle ride, which has raised more than $40,000 for medical research into childhood cancer, is legendary. My community and New South Wales are better places because of the Lions Club and Lions International. With more than 40 years of experience in fundraising and assisting the community the Oatley Lions Club does a wonderful job of meeting the needs of people both locally and internationally. At the core of the Lions Club of Oatley is its desire to make a positive difference to people's lives through engagement, fundraising and participation.

I have lost count of how many Lions events I have been to over the years but each time I go I am motivated by the enthusiasm and energy of the volunteers and I feel committed to lend a hand to help those less able in my local area. I again take this opportunity to congratulate the Oatley Lions Club on its fortieth anniversary and to thank it on behalf of my electorate for the work that it does. In particular, I thank the executive committee members—John Perkins, Jim Ede, Alexander Ellis, Karl Kunkel, Ken Nimmo, and Lynda Robinson—for their participation in Oatley Lions. On behalf of all members of this House I wish Oatley Lions a happy fortieth anniversary.