Mrs GASH (5:45 PM) —I rise today to speak on behalf of the residents of Gilmore who are suffering because of a lack of dialysis machines in the Shoalhaven. I would like to give you a quick example of one of my local residents, who is only one of dozens of people who endure this trial and test of patience. Three days a week she gets up at 5 a.m. to drive to Wollongong. From her home in the Bay and Basin area this is at least three hours. She must then spend several hours at Wollongong Hospital hooked up to her dialysis machine, away from her home, her family and her support networks before facing the arduous three-hour drive back home. In some cases, these local residents do not get home before midnight due to the treatment or the traffic or, worse still, the waiting at the hospital. To do this every second day is enough to try even the most patient and good-natured of Australians, and yet there are many in this situation.

Having had a daughter who suffered from kidney disease when she was very young and required hospitalisation, I can fully appreciate the emotional and financial burden of the dialysis patients and their families. Three or four full days out of a week on dialysis precludes any hope of a normal life for patients in terms of stable family life or employment. I am aware of one patient who was so tired and frustrated by the travelling, the pain and being forced away from his family and friends that he chose to refuse treatment and he is now no longer with us.

That is why I have been heartened and humbled by the response of the local community and, in particular, the local Lions International district members who have responded to this situation so quickly. Through the hard work and dedication of some local residents, in particular Barry Macaffrey and the staff at Radio 2ST and the Lions District Governor, Mr Franz Mairinger, an appeal was launched to help raise funds for the establishment of a dialysis centre in the Shoalhaven. I was honoured to have been invited to launch the appeal recently, and I am pleased to announce that through these community efforts and contributions we have already raised $40,000 of the $285,000 required for the three dialysis machines.

The Illawarra Area Health Service should also be congratulated for their commitment to provide space and staff for the machines when they are purchased, showing that once again it is the contribution of all sectors of the community to help local residents which makes a project successful. Whilst I am aware that health funding is a state government responsibility, I do believe that a three-tier of government approach has already been successful in my electorate, providing for the upgrade of main road 92 and the establishment of a university campus in West Nowra.

The local community has already contributed to half of the cost of the $500,000 upgrade of the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital. We have a strong community spirit and a willingness to help others where we can, but we can only do so much. This week I have written to the federal Minister for Health and Family Services (Dr Wooldridge) seeking an injection of federal funds into this very worthy project—the Lions Shoalhaven Dialysis Centre. It will provide three dialysis machines in a purpose-designed centre in our own region catering for local residents. Once built, it will enable more people to remain in our local area to get the treatment they need, supported by their family, friends and this local community.

These machines are desperately required and I will do all I can to ensure that finance is available to fund this much needed facility. To see people suffering anywhere in Australia is upsetting, but more so when you have friends and constituents in your own electorate who are suffering not only from the disease but also from the lack of facilities. I care, as I know the community cares, and I urge this parliament to support this wonderful initiative of Lions International. I also applaud all those ladies who have held morning and afternoon teas and street stalls. You are tops, the community needs you and, on behalf of Gilmore, I thank you.