Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

This year, the Lawrence Hall is turning 125, and there are big plans afoot for this weekend. The hall has a wonderful history of which the executive—president Peter Kelsall, vice-president Peter Wright, treasurer Ellen Maloney and secretary Lorna Reeves—are very proud. I would also like to thank the trustees and the organising committee for this weekend's celebrations—Robert Reeves, Roz Jones, Nev and Patricia Taber, Kevin and Joyce Gordon, Daniel Spears, Roger and Dulcie Reeves and especially Jennifer Sumskis—for their tireless commitment to the event.

The hall is a central point of any community. We have dances in our local hall. We have wedding celebrations in our local halls. We have christenings and indeed wakes. They literally witness all the major events in a community and people's lives, and, as people say, if walls could talk, what a story the walls of not just the Lawrence Hall but many halls could tell. They host many other events as well at the Lawrence Hall. They host fundraisers and events for kids. Most recently they have hosted Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, a movie night, lamington drives, Melbourne Cup events and stage plays. This weekend 3 June is going to be a big day. There is a vintage car display, a mobile library and a history presentation of the hall and the local area. The local RFS will also be cooking a barbecue for the community. There will of course be a birthday cake. Festivities start at the hall at 11 am on Saturday, and I cannot wait to join in the celebrations.

I had the pleasure last weekend of attending the award celebration of the Evans Head Surf Life Saving Club. They are a small club but very committed. I would like to congratulate the award winners: the Club Person of the Year, Paul Ellem; the Junior Club Person of the Year, Oliver Mason; the Rookie of the Year, Blair Haynes; the Charlie Sutton Perpetual Trophy went to Patrol 6, which was Paul Ellem, Jack Ellem, Timothy Solmon and Kyle Lindwal; and the Competitor of the Year, Michael Russell. In the Youth Involvement Program Awards, the Bronze Awards went to Jacob Yourell and Caleb Yourell, the Silver Award went to Aidan Yourell and the Gold Award went to Rachael Redman. Rachael emceed the events last Sunday very well as well. In the fun awards, the Duck Rollover went to Paul Ellem and Michael Haynes, and the Wombat Award—they know what it was for—went to Patrol 6.

This club has also had many challenges. We have obviously had many shark sightings. Indeed I was there one day this year when there was a shark sighting. The surf lifesaving club called everyone off the beach and had many extra duties because of the extra pressures. I would also like to thank the executive—Ben Redman, David Sly, Jodie Irwin, Avan Christie, Michael Pontesract, Tom Ellis, Teena Redman, Rebecca Yourell, David Scott, Joe Sly, Donna Watts and Christine Warren—for all the work they do.

See this speech in context