Nola Marino (Forrest, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last weekend, Bunbury held its fantastic Relay For Life event. I want to thank the amazing volunteers who have run this relay for around 20 years. It's a 24-hour team based event and, of course, it's designed to raise awareness of cancer and help fund Cancer Council WA's research, prevention and support services. Participants walk, jog and, sometimes, dance their way around the oval for 24 hours, which reflects the continuous nature of the struggle cancer victims live with each year. This year there were around 407 people in 41 teams who raised about $184,000.

Over the years Bunbury has raised nearly $5 million to support Western Australians impacted by cancer. There are costumes, live music and food trucks making sure that everybody is well fed and full of energy, in a wonderful carnival-like atmosphere. Two special ceremonies occur: the cancer survivors' morning tea that honours those that have come through their cancer journey and the candlelit ceremony that is a tribute to those loved ones who have lost their cancer fight. It's an inspirational overnight event that unites people and local communities in their vision for a cancer-free future. I want to congratulate everyone who is involved—the wonderful volunteers who have been at this for over 20 years—and I congratulate those who received awards for their countless years of service to Relay For Life.