Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

On Sunday I was fortunate to join hundreds of runners, walkers, wheelchair athletes and members of our community at the annual Maroubra Fun Run and Oktoberfest. Bigger and better than ever in its 19th year, the event is showing no signs of slowing down as thousands turned out for a cracking day of beautiful weather, entertainment, food and drink. Bavarian dancing, rides and market stalls kept all in attendance well entertained, while the four-kilometre and eight-kilometre run and walk tested the mettle of energetic youngsters and old stayers alike.

The culinary benefits of multiculturalism were well on display with Asian, Turkish, Chilean, German and Mexican cuisine; a German folk band and dances; and a trophy presentation for the race winners. I congratulate Tim Spehr and Greta Truscott for taking out the eight-kilometre run; Sam Byrne and Nancy Newsome in the four-kilometre run; Jason Delisle and Camilla Da Silva in the four-kilometre walk; and Matthew Demetrios and Tanya Smith for winning the four-kilometre wheelchair race.

A big thank you to major sponsors: Souths Juniors, The Sands Hotel Maroubra, Vision Personal Training, Narellan Pools, Randwick City Council, the Southern Courier, Maroubra Chamber of Commerce, and of course Walsh's Village Pharmacy. Particular tribute and thanks to Richard and Phillip Walsh, who put so many hours of dedicated hard work into this event every year. It was our community at its best, promoting healthy lifestyles and fun, outdoor activities.

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