House debates

Wednesday, 13 September 2017

Statements by Members

Robertson Electorate: Hustle for the Russell's

1:44 pm

Photo of Lucy WicksLucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I would like to mention a really special family in my electorate today: the Russells. There was a great event held in their honour last Friday night called 'Hustle for the Russell's'. The Entertainment Grounds in West Gosford was packed with hundreds as our community united to support Phil Russell.

As the invitation to Hustle for the Russell's said:

You might know him as Flash, Jack, Russo or Lucky Phil, but however you know him, you will know him as a top bloke. The guy with the quick dry wit, the guy always smiling, the guy who is always accepting of people, the guy who is the first one to help you out when you need it.

He is known as a wonderful husband, a beautiful father and a friend to everyone in his Wamberal community, including during his first-grade football days for Erina Eagles and indeed right across the Central Coast. But Phil has battled brain cancer for close to eight years and, sadly, he's in decline, which is understandably heartbreaking for him, for his wife, Sarah, for their daughters, Stella and Clancie, and for his extended family and friends.

I first met Sarah Russell when I was invited to take part in the Stars of the Central Coast Dance for Cancer event a couple of years ago, as Sarah is the community engagement manager for the Cancer Council in my electorate. It's incredible to think that despite her own personal family situation in battling cancer, Sarah is still out there every single day as an advocate and a fundraiser for the Cancer Council, including when she persuaded me to dance the Charleston on top of a table for cancer research.

I just want to say thank you to those people who helped contribute and raise over $114,000 for Hustle for the Russell's. Thanks to Jayne Moloney and Myf Pilon, who were the organisers of this and who are tireless community advocates. (Time expired)