Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 9 October, Hugh Bateman, a real estate agent and auctioneer, departed his home town of Mudgee to make a trek of almost 3,000 kilometres throughout New South Wales on a pink tractor. Hugh embarked on this unusual journey to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation and breast cancer care. The McGrath breast cancer care nurses provide invaluable physical, mental and emotional support to breast cancer patients from the time of diagnosis and throughout their treatment. There is no cost to patients for the nurses' support. However, it costs about $380,000 to fund a McGrath breast care nurse for three years. Presently the McGrath Foundation has 105 breast care nurses, who have supported 36,000 families to date. Yet more are needed.

Hugh's enthusiasm and commitment to the cause saw him raise almost $300,000 through his Pink Tractor Trek, a tremendous achievement. On 23 October, I was privileged to attend a fundraising gala for the arrival of Hugh on his pink tractor in my electorate of Dobell. The Central Coast community's support for the Pink Tractor Trek was outstanding, with a great turnout for the gala event at The Entrance, hosted by Bruce McLachlan, a prominent Central Coast real estate agent. I thank and commend Hugh for his wonderful contribution to the breast cancer community and I commend the generosity of those attending the gala event. Their generosity will make a real difference in people's lives through the breast care nurses.