Damian Drum (Nicholls, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Sunday in Melbourne they had Run Melbourne and thousands and thousands of runners participated in Run Melbourne over either the five kay, the 10 kay, the half marathon or the full marathon. 175 runners of those many thousands came from Echuca. They were all running there to raise money for Community Living & Respite Services Echuca. They were running under the barrier of Johnno, Brady Johnson. He put together this posse of runners to raise money for Community Living & Respite Services. I thank the Prime Minister for getting behind this fundraising event for all those 175 people who travelled 2½ hours down to Melbourne and then did their best to get around Run Melbourne and raise money for Community Living & Respite Services, who are building residences throughout Echuca that can give people their first and only chance of moving out of home with a carer. Independent living units are also built on these premises. It's a fantastic model. I've never seen a community get behind living respite services like I have seen at Echuca. I congratulate Suzanna Barry, Brendan Hogan and their team. It is an amazing organisation. I again thank the Prime Minister for getting behind Johnno's run and the 175 people who did their best last Sunday.