Gympie Electorate
Mr PERRETT (Gympie—LNP) (6.04 pm): The Gympie community is strengthened by the deep commitment to service of many of our residents, past and present. Anzac Day ceremonies last week were a wonderful testament to the value Gympie residents place on the service given by our Defence personnel over so many years. Services in townships and larger centres right across the region were bursting with locals wanting to commemorate those who had fought for our way of life in Australia. I was privileged to be able to commemorate with students at events at James Nash State High School and One Mile State School. I attended the lighting of the memorial flame, the dawn service in Gympie, the commemoration service at Normanby Hill Road, Southside, the Mary Street march and the service held in the Gympie rotunda. The poignancy and success of these events are due to the efforts of the Gympie RSL Sub-Branch president, Martin Muller. Services were also held in the Mary Valley and at Miva, Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay, Widgee and Wolvi.
On the weekend I attended Quota International Club of Gympie’s 58th annual changeover lunch. Since the club started in 1961 it has remained a constant and active part of Gympie’s proud history of volunteering and fundraising. The impressive list of groups they have supported shows that the club is about helping today and investing in the future. Congratulations to incoming office bearers Heather MacDonnell, Eunice McIntyre, Gayle O’Mara, Judy Dwyer, Noela Reisenleiter, Barbara Kingston and Dianne Malouf.
At last weekend’s Gympie Show Ball we learned that almost $50,000 was raised by showgirls Tania Clem and Myrella Corbet for our 131st Gympie Show, from 16 to 18 May. We all know that show societies have the largest number of volunteers, and our Gympie Show could not run without the strong support and many unpaid work hours of our volunteers.
Yesterday 100 people attended the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal business breakfast fundraiser. Congratulations to the committee, including chairman Adam Madill, Sharon O’Brien, Jess Riches, Sam Bradshaw, Major Brian Smith, Leanne Harrison and my wife, Michele. Others who made it a success include guest speaker Livio Regano, the Gympie RSL, Cooloola Christian College, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Cindy Vogels, Glenn Lane, Graham Engeman, Thea and Greig Nissen and Lieutenant Colonel David Godkin. The event raised $11,670, which will help fund services for almost 100 people a day who seek their help. In the last years Salvos have provided 14,500 volunteer hours, 4,524 lunches, 1,552 showers, 1,577 breakfasts and 5,642 coffees. Gympie Salvos started in 1886 and is now into its 133rd year. Winston Churchill said—
We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
These events give a snapshot of life in the Gympie region. They demonstrate the steadfast commitment that residents have in giving service back to our community.