Alison Penfold (Lyne, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Over 170 people came together on Saturday 31 January at Club Old Bar to raise funds for a permanent war memorial cenotaph. Hosted by the Old Bar Beach RSL sub-branch and Pete Johnson with the flair of a true master of ceremonies, it was advertised as a night of cricket, comedy and song, and it certainly lived up to its name.

Special guests included legendary cricketers Doug Walters—a Dungog local—and Lenny Pascoe. They regaled us with many tales from the locker room. Local comedian and singer Greg Hayes, well known for his days of touring with Slim Dusty as his resident comedian, told plenty of tales, not all repeatable even in this place, and sang with the heart and soul of someone who holds a deep love for the country. Golden Guitar winner Matt Scullion finished off the night of entertainment with his beautiful storytelling songs of Australiana. All in all, $16,000 was raised towards the cenotaph, well over the target. To help the cause, I'm taking home a cricket bat autographed by Doug Walters, which will be on display with local art in my offices.

My congratulations and thanks to the organisers of the event, Peter Johnson and Linda Patchett, who did such a sterling job, and to the sub-branch president, Jeff Earley, and auxiliary coordinator, Vickie Jackson, for their leadership. Thanks to the board of directors of Club Old Bar—president Wayne Deer, Kerry Turner, Garry Stewart, Bob Cameron, Brenda Perrett, Nick Chard and Jeff Brown—and the new CEO, Craig Norman. Thanks to Sharon Osborn as well. (Time expired)

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