Ben Small (Forrest, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Five million dollars over 23 years is the incredible legacy that Relay for Life has in Bunbury. This last weekend it was a pleasure to join the south-west pocket rocket and my predecessor, Nola Marino, in the official opening of the 23rd edition of Bunbury's Relay for Life. It's far more than a fundraiser; it's a powerful beacon of hope for those across the South West community afflicted or touched in some way by cancer.

The sheer scale of volunteer commitment and funds raised over the last 23 years has been truly staggering. A key driver of cutting-edge research for cancer, the research focuses not only on finding a cure but to pioneer treatments that are more effective and less harsh on patients. It ensures that more people can live with, and hopefully survive, a cancer diagnosis while maintaining a meaningful quality of life for themselves, their families and their friends.

This year the dedication of Bunbury truly broke all records. My sincere congratulations to the outgoing chair, Emily McKelvie, along with her organising committee whose leadership and passion brought the event together once more. Their collective effort enabled 52 fundraising teams involving some 541 Relayers to keep their batons moving for a full 24 hours. Having set a goal of $200,000, they truly smashed it by raising an astonishing $278,369. It really is Forrest at its finest.

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