Anne Aly (Cowan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Saturday 17 October, I was honoured to once again attend and MC the Cancer Council Relay for Life Joondalup-Wanneroo at HBF Arena in Joondalup. This is the 13th year that it has been held at the stadium in Joondalup and the fourth year that I have been the MC. Relay for Life events raise vital funds for medical research in the hope of a cancer-free future, and people are drawn to those events for similar reasons. They may have experienced cancer themselves or watched someone they love battle with this terrible disease, which has touched so many lives. But everyone is there to make a difference.

Relay for Life always begins with a survivors walk, and, as MC, I read out the names of the survivors and carers who are attending. This year was a little different: the event was smaller and only went for 5½ hours, as opposed to the 24 hours that it usually runs for. Nonetheless, it was a great success, raising more than double its fundraising goal.

I'd like to congratulate Mayor Tracey Roberts, the event ambassador and mayor of the City of Wanneroo; Ms Pat Strahan, the chairperson of the Joondalup-Wanneroo Relay for Life committee; Mr Ashley Reid, the CEO of the Cancer Council WA; and everyone else who contributed to the event's success on that Saturday, in less than ideal circumstances. I look forward to supporting next year's event and to MC-ing many more Relay for Life events at Joondalup-Wanneroo.