Craig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to advise the House of the success of the inaugural Hughes Charity Car Show that I proudly hosted and which was held at Kelso Park, Panania, last Sunday. We had over 200 great cars on display, including hot rods, classic Fords and Holdens and a display of police historic vehicles, just to name a few. I would like to especially thank everyone who took the time and effort to display their vehicle on the day and I also thank the sponsors, including Queen St Customs, BP Milperra, Rincap Automotive, the Mill Hotel, Shannons Insurance, Villaggio Bar Cafe, Koenigsegg Australia, Panania Diggers, Peter Warren Autoworld, The Torch, Restor FX, Tyrepower Revesby and Samuel Noakes Photographics. We were successful in raising several thousand dollars on the day for the rural fire service.

The category winners on the day were: Mark Chalmers, Best in Show, Hughes Choice and Best Interior; Bob Parkin, Best Holden; John Nicholls, Best Ford; Steven Earl, Best Japanese; Carl Trad, Best Euro; Wayne Anthony, Best Paintwork; Danny Xuereles, Best Classic; Neil Wrightson, Best Hot Rod; Steve Sammut, Best American; Peter Macken, Best 6 Cylinder; Spiro Giannakis: Best 4 Cylinder; Warren Magro, Best 8 Cylinder; SS Owners Club, Best Club; Alex Theuma, Best Rotor; and Brendan Barker, Best Ute/4WD.

The day was important because cars are more than just something to get us from A to B. The car remains an important symbol of freedom and liberty. I think the most important thing on the day was the incentive that many young kids took away; the incentive that here in Australia, through hard work, entrepreneurial drive and a stroke of good luck everyone has an opportunity to earn any of the great cars that are on display on the day. That is something that happens in very few countries in the world, and it is something we must be ever vigilant to protect. I look forward to the 2014 Hughes Charity Car Show being bigger and better.