John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Basil's Seafood Restaurant in Marsfield is celebrating 30 years of operation this year. In Bennelong we are fortunate to have many long-term successful businesses—and Basil's is a great example of hard work, investment and persistence. In 1984, business partners, Emmanuel and Basil, took a gamble on establishing a seafood restaurant in a relatively new commercial area of Sydney. Their motivation and vision gave them the ambition to invest time and money into building a prestige, licensed restaurant in an up and coming area.

Basil's does not offer ocean views or an upmarket, exclusive address, but people come from near and far to enjoy the atmosphere, great service and consistently high standard of cuisine. Over the years Basil's has built up and maintained a vast, faithful and regular clientele. The restaurant is a four-time winner of the prestigious American Express Awards for Best Seafood Restaurant in New South Wales and a six-time winner of the Small Business Award.

A decade ago Basil retired; however, Emmanuel and Magdaline continued the business with remarkable success. Thriving for 30 years in the local community where other restaurants have come and gone is a true testament to the hard work, great offerings and determination of the Basil's team. Congratulations, and I will see you soon.

See this speech in context