Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business) Share this | Hansard source

At just 31 years old, Chris Ross faced the devastating news of a motor neurone disease terminal diagnosis. Chris faced a choice and chose to live his life to help others fighting MND. With friends Josh Newman and Josh Webster, he launched Beat the Beast and Run4Rossy, an annual event raising awareness, hope and funds for MND research. Their bold mission was $1 million for a cure. Chris passed in August 2023, but his vision lives on. Run4Rossy, led by a dedicated committee including Chris's mum Karen Ross—a wonderful human being; Chris's brother, Ben Ross; chair, John McCluskey; Sian Davey; Lisa Bugg; Gaye Findlay and Erin Ford continues his incredible legacy.

This year's Run4Rossy event was the biggest yet, partnering with FightMND to announce a research grant in Chris's honour. Every dollar raised supports this grant and brings us closer to a cure. Run4Rossy has raised $131,000 in 2025 and nearly half a million dollars since 2021.To help Karen and the team take more steps towards beating the beast, I've donated, and I hope others will too by going to www.beatthebeast.me/run-4-rossy.

The best thing we can do to combat loneliness and support each other is to turn to our neighbours. Since 1982, Neighbourhood Watch has brought volunteer residents together to be the first line of safety for the community, and Neighbourhood Watch Bayside was founded a year later in 1983. Each volunteer is precious and sews a stitch in our community's social fabric. To thank them for their incredible service, two Saturdays ago Neighbourhood Watch Bayside held their big thank you picnic at Brighton's Ballilla. Hundreds soaked up fleeting sunshine, with live entertainment, local artists, classic cars, the local Lions Club of Brighton sizzling sausages and scones galore. To celebrate outstanding contributions, the inaugural Ken Beadle Award was awarded to Ken Beadle, the former Bayside mayor and long time Neighbourhood Watch champion. No doubt there will be many worthy recipients in the years to come. We thank all the volunteers, and also those that provide the leadership to Neighbourhood Watch Bayside, including their president and emcee, Phil Lovel, the event coordinator Geoff Bransbury and the event curator Michelle Laragy. I just want to say to everybody who's involved with Neighbourhood Watch—in Bayside and Glen Eira and Kingston, and across Australia—thank you so much for the wonderful work that you do. You keep our community safe. You keep us strong. More importantly, you keep us connected—particularly those who don't necessarily have full support or assistance from their family or friends. The work you do ensures that we all stay safe. Thank you very much.

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