Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Today I rise to recognise the outstanding work of the Central West Charity Tractor Trek Group. Every year, the Tractor Trek takes place, which sees vintage tractors and their drivers trekking around the Central West to raise money for worthy causes, including the charity Little Wings. This year's trek just concluded and was conducted over three days and 300 kilometres around Rylstone and its surrounding districts. Besides the Tractor Trek, the trekkers hold a 24-hour Central West 'tractorthon'—where tractors run for 24 hours around Canowindra Showground—which this year raised a further $20,000 on top of the $150,000 for worthy causes, including Little Wings. At the Canowindra tractorthon, some even do laps in mankinis, and, trust me, you cannot unsee that! I congratulate and thank all of our wonderful tractor trekkers, including the tractor trek committee: director Malcolm Porter, deputy director Nick Clancey, treasurer Debbie Porter and secretary Melanie Bone—and, indeed, all of the wonderful volunteers who get behind the Tractor Trek.

The small but mighty charity Little Wings flies sick children and their families from country areas to the city for medical treatment. They fly in and out of the Central West on a daily basis. The federal government currently assists Little Wings with $500,000 per year, and this funding is due to expire in 2027. The organisation costs $6 million a year to run. As a funding expiration looms, it's clear that more funding is needed, and it needs to be made permanent. I call on the government to support country people and country communities— (Time expired)

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