Zhi Soon (Banks, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Earlier this year, I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ray Benham. As well as being a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and a very highly regarded engineer, Ray was a longstanding community champion who made a significant contribution to local cricket and rugby league. Ray first became involved in local cricket as a parent, when Ray and Christine's son Michael began playing for the Revesby Workers Cricket Club, contributing as a coach and a scorer. He was also instrumental in setting up the Bankstown-Broken Hill sister City Sporting Exchange. In recognition of his service, he would go on to become a life member of the Bankstown District Cricket Association. He did the same for the East Hills Junior Rugby League Football Club, managing and serving on several committees. His contributions to these organisations will never be forgotten.

Ray led a life rich in passions, from his family to astronomy, his love of aviation as a pilot and riding his Triumph Bonneville 650 motorbike. Ray's life was also full of exciting stories like driving the band, the Masters Apprentices, around regional New South Wales. I had the honour of attending Ray's funeral and my thoughts remain with the Benham family and all of his loved ones, particularly his wife, Christine, and his son, Michael. Christine, you mentioned in Ray's eulogy that he was a huge beam of shining light. Thank you for sharing his life with our community.

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