David Bradbury (Lindsay, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to acknowledge the success of the 2008 St Marys Spring Festival which took place in St Marys last Saturday. In its 33rd year, the festival was scheduled to be held on 6 September but was postponed due to rain. As a result of the herculean efforts of the organising committee, the event was reorganised within a matter of five weeks. This was no small feat, considering that the festival is a major event in the local calendar and showcases St Marys, attracting crowds of over 40,000 people.

Behind the scenes, many hours of hard work have been dedicated towards making this event a success. I take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the volunteers who enable the festival to take place each year. The organising committee includes: Tony Biddulph, Chairman; Norma Thorburn, Secretary-Treasurer; John Wilcocks, Vice-President; Isobel Lowe, Publicity Officer; and Leonie Hannah, Minutes Secretary. Other committee members are Maurice Spalding, Dorothy Radford, Marj Elphick, Judy Shepherd and Councillors Greenow, Allison and Davies. I also acknowledge the two junior committee members assisting over the last two years, Trevor and Hayley Elphick. I also acknowledge the Penrith City Council for its financial and in-kind support of the festival; the Erskine Park and Llandilo brigades of the Rural Fire Service for acting as marshals; and the members of the Mustang Owners Club under Wayne Byrne’s leadership, who provide the spectacular vehicles that lead the parade. I acknowledge all of these hardworking individuals and the many other volunteers for their contribution to the promotion and enrichment of our local community.