NSW Alcohol Summit

Parliament resumed this week and will be in session for a number of weeks until Christmas. During last week, the NSW Summit on Alcohol Abuse was held at Parliament House.

NSW Alcohol Summit

The National Party, as a result of the Summit, put the State Government on notice that additional funds were needed if resolutions from the NSW Alcohol Abuse Summit were to have any effect. We also strongly rejected a Summit resolution supporting Government-sanctioned underage drinking venues, along the same lines of Labor's heroin injecting room. Unfortunately, the resolution narrowly passed late into the night when 75 per cent of the delegates were absent. One message was clear from this week's debate - the tentacles of alcohol abuse cut across every geographic and social divide in NSW. Alcohol wreaks havoc with individuals, families, communities and our social and economic fabric. The excellent local community-based initiatives in country and coastal areas needed to be built upon with wholehearted Government support and increased funding. It is vital that young people understand that drinking to excess is not "cool" - it is a problem to themselves, their families and their communities. The graphic details of alcohol abuse were clearly too little understood in mainstream society - the health, social and legal consequences, the domestic violence and misery, the loss of employment and the impact on children.

Locally Gazetted Holidays

Following a number of enquiries made to my office, I wish to advise that both the Lismore Cup Race Day (« day Thursday 25 September) and Lismore Show Day (full day Thursday 16 October) have been gazetted under the Banks and Bank Holidays Act 1912. Verification or further information can be obtained from the Department of Industrial Relations website; www.dir.nsw.gov.au/holidays or by contacting 131 628.

Some Functions Attended Recently;

Truck Parade - hosted by the Lismore Turf Club, the Lismore Truck Show & Parade combined with a race day was well very patronised as it supported St Mary's Preschool in Casino, Bonalbo Preschool, Kyogle Preschool, Our Kids program and the Rural Fire Service. I congratulate Ron Marriott, Michael Timbrell, Directors and staff of the Lismore Turf Club on a very successful event. Appreciation goes to the trucking industry for their support and financial contribution in making the day a wonderful success. A Fashion Extravaganza was also held in conjunction with the weekends activities and provided an opportunity to a number of fashion business houses within the electorate to showcase fashions, accessories and footwear for the ensuing local race days.

Red Cross Zone 27 Conference - It was my pleasure to be present and officially open this conference at Wiangaree on Monday. Local branches of the Red Cross provide various voluntary services throughout the area and do a wonderful job in supporting the community.

Ag-Quip - As a member of a National Party Northern Tour, part of the visit included attending the renowned agricultural field days held at Gunnedah.

Red Cross "Celebrity Prison"

I have been chosen as one of 20 people in the Lismore region to be involved in this year's highlight event "Celebrity Prison". Red Cross has held this event in other areas as a major FUNdraising event. This unique event is to be staged at Lismore Shopping Square on the 27 September 2003 at 11 am. The Australian Red Cross coordinates 12 essential local community services throughout Northern NSW. My participation and support, I hope will highlight to the community the importance of Red Cross for the whole community and I call on your assistance to contribute in whatever way possible.