Chris Hayes (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I take the opportunity to thank the many individuals, charities, businesses and religious and cultural groups in my community who contributed to the bushfire appeal. I acknowledge the efforts of Fairfield City Council and its mayor, Frank Carbone, in raising $80,000 in partnership with the local clubs to support the communities affected by the devastating fires. Accordingly, I thank the Cabra-Vale Diggers, Mounties, Smithfield RSL and St Johns Park Bowling Club for their generosity to this cause. Likewise, I congratulate Liverpool City Council and its mayor, Wendy Waller, who donated $20,000 to the local fire service, assisting with the provision of essential services needed to combat these extreme fires. James Chan and the Australian Chinese Buddhist Society at the Mingyue Temple managed to raise $81,000 for the bushfire appeal. This was in addition to the generous donation of $250,000 by the combined Chinese associations of Western Sydney. I thank the Director of the Bonnyrigg Sports Club, John Pavasovic, for his efforts in raising $40,000 for bushfire affected communities. The Vietnamese Community of New South Wales Chapter and president Paul Huy Nguyen also organised a community fundraiser, which raised $32,000 for the bushfire appeal. This was in addition to the efforts of the Vietnamese community leader, Dr Vinh Binh Lu, who raised more than $70,000 for the RFS and the families of the two local heroes who died fighting these dreadful fires.

I also acknowledge the contribution of the Lao and Thai communities, which came together to raise $60,000 for the Rural Fire Service. Cambodian Vision and the Cambodian Cultural Association, particularly Ming Ly, Senn Yang and Thida Yang, raised $44,000 for the Salvation Army's bushfire appeal. I also thank Australian Health and Humanitarian Aid, under their chairman, Dr William Trinh, which raised $65,000 in partnership with the Rotary Club of Liverpool West to help with the bushfire relief. I recognise also the great efforts of the Barzani Charity Foundation, which donated 10 pallets of bottled water for bushfire affected communities. Furthermore, I thank Australian Islamic House and Human Appeal Australia for visiting bushfire affected areas and offering assistance. They provided much needed supplies from their generous food donations.

Whilst this was one of our worst environmental disasters, it nevertheless displayed some of the best qualities in people and in the community. These generous community efforts are clearly the embodiment of the great Australian spirit.