Tony Smith (Casey, Liberal Party, Deputy Chairman , Coalition Policy Development Committee) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I pass on my best to the member for Kingsford Smith on his final speech. Members of this House will have established local Anzac Centenary community committees, and the Casey committee was established back in May. I recognise those local members of the Yarra Valley and outer east community who have agreed to give of their time on that committee. The committee is chaired by Mr Ray Yates, who is the principal of Monbulk Primary School. He has strongly promoted the stories of ANZAC in his community, as well as contributing to numerous community organisations over many decades. Also on the committee is Brigadier Michael Phelps AM, recently retired, a senior member of the Australian Army; Mr Graham Warren, the former mayor and councillor of the Shire of Yarra Ranges; Mr Anthony McAleer,a local historian and author of a number of significant works on the contribution of local Anzacs from Mount Evelyn, Monbulk and Lilydale; Ms Margi Sank,who has contributed greatly to the Rotary Club of Lilydale, the Mount Evelyn Bendigo Community Bankand a number of other local causes; Mr Bob Gannaway,a prominent affiliate member and commemorations officer at the Healesville RSL; Ms Sue Thompson,a former journalist, and an author, historian and long-time promoter of the history of Lilydale and the district; Mr Chris Thomas,a prominent local business owner and community volunteer in the Upper Yarra; MrJohn Shackleton, principal at Gladysdale Primary School and a resident of Warburton; and Mr Blake Hadlow, the youngest member of the committee, a 21-year-old student from Mount Evelynwith a deep interest in the history of ANZAC. Blake is the grandson of the late Harry Smith of Montrose, who served Australia with distinction in Korea and then afterwards as a prominent member of the RSL. I want to thank each member of the committee for kindly agreeing to serve on it, for the benefit of our local community.