Ewen Jones (Herbert, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a day when all Queenslanders are justifiably proud of our State of Origin footballers, you could be forgiven for not noticing the fact that they were wearing black arm bands last night. It was only last week that I spoke in this chamber asking everyone in Townsville to support a fundraising luncheon for ex-Cowboy second rower Sam Faust. It was to be held today to assist with travel costs to get him overseas for a radical treatment to his very aggressive form of leukaemia. Sadly, Sam lost his fight against this disease this week. It was somewhat profound that today as we celebrated the launch of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea we also mourned the latest casualty of cancer. The lunch will still go ahead in a couple of weeks but it will be to support his beautiful wife and widow, Kya, and their three beautiful girls, Kaiulani, Meika, and Lola.

It is appropriate that we speak at this time of immortality. As a parent, you look at your children and you can see parts of you, your partner, four grandparents and extended family members. Sam Faust has achieved immortality. His girls will see to that. Vale Sam Faust. You will be missed, but you will never be forgotten.