Daniel Hulme MP - Working for you in Franklin

[6.07 p.m.]

Mr HULME (Franklin) - On several occasions over the course of last weekend I had the pleasure of spending time with members of the Marysville & District and Strathewen Cricket Clubs. Marysville and Strathewen were severely affected by the Victorian bushfires, with devastating loss of lives and property. That loss included the destruction of the grounds and clubrooms of their cricket clubs. The Victorian players were hosted by the Snug and Margate cricket clubs whose fundraising efforts helped pay for the trip. Both Snug and Margate were devastated in the 1967 Tasmanian bushfires and some of their members who were old enough to personally experience the horror of those events wanted to do something substantial to help others who were more recently in a similar situation.

The clubs managed to raise $12,100 and a matching contribution was provided by the State Government. The money raised helped sponsor the trip, fund new gear and provide substantial cash support for the Victorian clubs. Local businesses such as the Mercure Hotel, Thrifty Car Rentals and Wild Thing Adventures assisted by providing significant discounts for their services. The Clarence Cricket Club and Tasmanian Tigers provided a barbecue and service staff for a presentation evening on Friday night.

The highlight of the weekend's activities was a Twenty20 cricket match on Sunday between the Tasmanian and Victorian teams, umpired by Brett Geeves and Luke Butterworth from the Tasmanian Tigers. Other members of parliament turned up to participate in some of the weekend's events, including the Deputy Premier and the Leader of the Opposition. In fact, I believe the Leader of the Opposition played for the Tasmanian side in the match. My Federal colleague, Senator Catryna Bilyk, also attended the match and gave a donation. For those members who are interested, Tasmania won the match by three runs.

The Tasmanian club members have formed lasting friendships with the Victorians and they are planning to travel to Marysville next year. I would like to congratulate the presidents of the Marysville and Strathewen cricket clubs, Travis Gleeson and Glen Jenkins, for the leadership of their clubs through such difficult times. To Adam Glover and Brett Tabor, presidents of the Margate and Snug cricket clubs, congratulations and thank you for your efforts. A special mention must go to Robert Richards, a member of the Margate Cricket Club, who was instrumental in organising the weekend. He was going to be in the Chamber today but unfortunately could not make it due to family commitments. I apologise if I have missed mentioning anyone worthy of recognition.

As I have said before in this place - and I will say it again - when we think we have measured the human capacity for compassion and the willingness to assist others in their time of greatest need, our expectations are exceeded. I think this point could not be put better than it was by Glen Fiske, the chief of the Marysville Fire Brigade. Mr Fiske's son, Kellan, was one of the players who went on the Tasmanian trip. Kellan had lost both his mother and brother in the Marysville fire. Here is what Mr Fiske said in an interview on Four Corners last night:

'I just thank everybody for their support. The whole aftermath of the fires has been the most humbling experience I have had in my life. I have never experienced this side of people before. Australia, as a whole, has looked after us.'

It is this sort of generosity that makes me proud to be an Australian.