Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party, Assistant Minister for Children and Families) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My electorate of Capricornia takes in a huge chunk of Central Queensland from Rockhampton to Mackay and out to the Belyando country in the west. Not only does Capricornia have a vast array of different landscapes, scenery and industries; it has a great variety of people. It is these people I am proud to represent and these great people that keep me driving forward in my role in this place.

One shining example is Chelsea Line. Chelsea is a young woman and a ray of sunshine, whose love for life and passion for a cause are truly infectious. She is a cheerleader, a gymnast, a student and sometimes, I'm led to believe, a little bit of a ratbag. None of this is strange for an 11-year-old girl, but what makes Chelsea's efforts all the more impressive is what she faces every day with type 1 diabetes.

The 24/7 grind of living with this chronic disease can of course be a struggle, and I know just how serious Chelsea and her mum are about raising awareness to help find a cure. Earlier this year, Chelsea and Rebecca visited Parliament House with a tour of JDRF families, and it was an absolute pleasure to be able to catch up with them both and discuss the continued need for support for diabetes sufferers. Chelsea got a real thrill by getting to see a few things most visitors to parliament don't get to see—one of the benefits of being Nationals whip.

Chelsea told me type 1 diabetes is associated with a significantly increased risk of serious health complications, including blindness, heart disease, stroke and nerve damage. Rebecca told me she and Chelsea want us politicians to understand that a cure would mean everything to them. The very idea of a life free of emergency hospital trips, 3 am wake-ups and blood sugar finger pricks is something like heaven. I stand with Chelsea and Rebecca in supporting efforts to find a cure for diabetes and to make each sufferer's life a simpler, safer, healthier one.

Chelsea and Rebecca are very active members of JDRF, the leading global organisation funding type 1 diabetes research. JDRF Australia is built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and a broader fundraising impact, and using an international stage to pool resources, passion and energy. This grassroots approach means that people who are actually dealing with the ravages of type 1 diabetes are the ones who are telling the stories and driving the message.

Each year Chelsea and Rebecca play a pivotal role in organising the JDRF Colour Run in Moranbah—a great event that really puts the 'fun' in fundraiser. This year's colour run is coming up on 14 October, and I encourage everyone, wherever you are, to go to Moranbah and take part in this terrific event that not only supports tough kids like Chelsea but also provides help for a cure in the future.