Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy Affordability) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you to everyone in our community involved with Pink Up Penrith, particularly the dedicated committee, led by Gai Hawthorn of the Penrith CBD Corporation. This month-long initiative in October has once again shown us the power of community spirit in supporting a cause close to everyone's hearts—raising funds for the McGrath Foundation to support McGrath Breast Care Nurses. Over the last few years, Pink Up Penrith has raised an extraordinary $362,000, allowing five McGrath Breast Care Nurses to be stationed at Nepean Hospital. These nurses play a vital role in the lives of patients and their families, providing not just medical expertise but compassionate care, guidance and hope during what is often the most difficult time in people's live. It is because of these dedicated community efforts that the people of Penrith can access these five wonderful nurses.

This year, to help spread the important message of early detection, I was really proud to join Penrith CBD Corporation to sponsor special breast cancer awareness decals, which are perfect to stick on the door of bathrooms in shops, in gyms and in hotels. I've loved seeing them popping up in venues right across Penrith. Thank you to every small business and community member for being involved in this initiative.

Pink Up Penrith hosted a series of events that demonstrated the community's unwavering commitment to the McGrath Foundation's breast care nurses. Among these is the high tea at Lakeside Restaurant. I had the privilege of joining a room full of passionate and generous individuals, including the Director of the McGrath Foundation, Tracy Bevan, who has given a lot of her time to supporting this cause in Penrith.

We also had the United in Pink dance event, organised by Rebecca from PAWS. We had a whole evening of wonderful dance schools participating not for competition but for community. The amount of money that our local dance schools raised was wonderful.

The work of the Pink Up Penrith committee, led by Gai, deserves the highest praise. Organising such a wide array of events is no easy feat, yet every detail is always meticulously planned, and everything goes off wonderfully. Most of all, Pink Up Penrith is about people in our community giving generously. The total funds raised this year are yet to be finalised, but I know they will be a figure that reflects the effort that's been put in. To Gai Hawthorn, the Pink Up Penrith committee and every volunteer and participant: my deepest gratitude is extended to you all. Your dedication reminds us that together we can make a difference.

See this speech in context