House debates

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Constituency Statements

Page Electorate: Leukaemia Foundation UGLY Bartender of the Year

10:21 am

Photo of Kevin HoganKevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Every year, bartenders across Australia help the Leukaemia Foundation by showing us their UGLY, which stands for 'understanding, generous, likeable you'. These people are all helping people who are dealing with the challenges of blood cancer. The Leukaemia Foundation's UGLY bartenders create fundraisers, games and experiences that people visiting the pubs and clubs can get involved in. The aim is to come up with unique and fun ways to raise funds.

There are many bartenders and venues that got involved across my electorate of Page, and I would like to congratulate them and their workplaces on getting involved: Blake Astley from the Rous Hotel in Ballina, Kim Barnes in the Station Hotel in South Lismore, Stephen Beckman from the South Grafton Ex-Servicemen's Club, Kim Bradbury from the Tatts Hotel in Lismore, Christine Cannon from the Maclean Bowling Club, Michael Daly from the Australian Hotel in South Grafton, Oliver Ferguson from the Greenhouse Tavern in Coffs Harbour, Jane Fitzpatrick from the Rappville Pub, David Foster at the Ballina RSL, Renee Fox from the Great Northern in South Grafton, Neale Genge from the Casino RSM Club, Jordan Hagney from the Coffs Hotel, Courtney Hoy from the Lawrence Tavern—congratulations, Courtney!—Marissa Kaandorp from the Plantation Hotel in Coffs Harbour, Warrick Lecudennec from the Moonee Beach Tavern, Leonie McMahon from the Tyalgum Hotel, Anthony Sinclair from the Seaview Tavern in Woolgoolga, Brodie Stevens from the East Lismore Bowling Club, and Jess West from the Cecil Hotel in Casino.

Together they have raised over $30,000, and I congratulate all of them and their employers on their support for this worthy cause, because, Madam Deputy Speaker, as you would know, the Leukaemia Foundation offers many services to those suffering from blood cancers. They offer free apartments and other accommodation for people who need to have a home away from home when they are undergoing treatment. They also have patient transport services, where volunteer drivers help people get around. They have other support services like counselling, education sessions and literature on blood cancers, and much more. They also do research and clinical trials, and have put millions of dollars into that over the last number of years. I congratulate everyone involved in the Leukaemia Foundation—and I must declare an interest: my wife works for the Leukaemia Foundation. I know the great work they do, and I thank everyone for their fundraising efforts.