Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to talk about a Territorian, Tim Buckley, and his son Ronan, who are competing in a very interesting marathon for a great cause. Tim is a long-time Territorian. He has lived in the territory for 26 years. Tim and his son Ronan are competing in a 42-kilometre marathon across the North Pole. They will be dealing with overcoming sub-zero temperatures in a hostile and unsympathetic environment. Now, if it gets under 20 degrees in Darwin, we are putting on jumpers. But luckily, Tim is no stranger to marathons in harsh, unforgiving environments. He previously competed in the Australian Outback Marathon, running across the heat of Central Australia, and he does remember the cold from when he spent time down in Antarctica for the Bureau of Meteorology.

Tim is going to pay all his own costs—his flights, insurances and accommodation—himself. But he will be fundraising for the Fred Hollows Foundation, with all money raised being donated straight to the foundation to support their cause to restore sight to people in the Territory and around the world. The marathon will take place on 9 April. Tim assures me that he and his son are more than ready for it.

If anyone would like to donate to Tim, you can do so, with that money going to the Fred Hollows Foundation. Full details will be available on my Facebook site this afternoon.