Mrs ELSON (1:13 PM) —I would like to take this opportunity in the few minutes left in this debate to bring to the attention of the House some outstanding achievements by the local Rotary clubs in my electorate of Forde. I was pleased to attend the inaugural Beaudesert Rotary Race Day held on Valentine's Day. The race was organised by the Rotary clubs of Beaudesert, Jimboomba, Boonah and Tamborine Mountain and it was part of a weekend of `passion, power and excellence' to raise funds to assist Rotary in the worldwide eradication of polio. I am pleased to say that Rotary raised an amazing amount of $100,000 over that weekend. I want to publicly announce that achievement—it is absolutely astounding that a small rural town could raise that amount of money over one weekend. I personally thank the Rotary organiser, Mike Morgan, who did a fantastic job, despite the weather. There were very large turnouts and all events were well supported by locals, as well as bringing hundreds of new visitors to our area. Many commented to me on the very professional organisation of an excellent weekend which was coordinated by the Rotary clubs, and they are looking forward to it becoming an annual event.

I would also like to place on the record my thanks to the rural fire brigades throughout my electorate who volunteered to travel to Victoria to help fight the bushfires recently. I especially thank Bernie Savage and Dean Prowse from Jimboomba, Jeff Duke and Paul Williams from Chambers Flat, Gary Marsh from Greenbank and Steve Luckett from Tamborine Mountain. The men were based in Buchan in the Snowy River valley and worked alongside an American fire brigade, the Victorian Country Fire Authority and the Department of Sustainable Environment. I was extremely proud of those men. They did not hesitate to risk their lives to help others, and I am sure you will agree with me, Mr Deputy Speaker, that this is an act of true Australian mateship. I know that many others from around Australia travelled to help out with those fires in Canberra and Victoria at that difficult time, and I take this opportunity to thank them for their mighty efforts.

Question agreed to.

Main Committee adjourned at 1.15 p.m.