Mrs MAY (9:04 PM) —Earlier this year I had the pleasure of attending the 65th anniversary celebrations of the Burleigh RSL—and what a celebration. A total of 111 people were in attendance for a great barbeque and some special speeches to remember and celebrate the 65 years of proud history of this wonderful club. In fact, the membership of this RSL has now reached 200—a great achievement and testimony to the friendship, loyalty and strong commitment this club has, particularly to those veterans who travel quite long distances along the coast to belong to this great subbranch.

Since being elected in 1998, I have had a wonderful relationship with all the executive and members of the subbranch and I know I am welcome at any time just to drop in, when time permits, and on special occasions I am a welcome guest to help with the celebrations. At the 65th anniversary celebrations, I presented the club with two new Australian flags. They are always flown with pride by the club but, being so close to the beach, their life span is not as long as one would hope. Nevertheless, the boys know they only have to give the office a ring and a new flag will be delivered personally or sent on by my staff.

I would like to put on the record today a little bit about the history of the club. The Burleigh RSL received its charter on 3rd January 1939, but I understand the original ANZACs were hard at work in the Burleigh region many years before that event ever occurred. Anzac Day services were organised as far back as 1935. During the Second World War, the Burleigh ANZACs carried on the tradition of commemorating our war dead. Burleigh was a small seaside village and the club was struggling to survive towards the end of the 1940s, so they recruited some of the younger 2nd AIF boys to ensure the club's continuance. In 1953 the members, under the presidency of Mr Kevin Snee from the 2nd AIF, who is still a current member, acquired a state government grant of land and built a community hall on 6th Avenue, Burleigh, which was completed in 1956 and still stands today as a testament to those original ANZACs and to new Anzacs. During the 1950s and 1960s, the RSL hall was the hub of social activities in the local district. Up until the hall was built, the members met at the old Burleigh Heads Hotel on the esplanade. The new hall proved to be a great home and today serves its veteran community very well.

The current members deserve to be congratulated for the way in which the hall is managed and maintained. It is a delightful meeting place—full of memories, artefacts and a camaraderie that I have never felt in another club. It is well utilised by the members and local community organisations. In fact, it is used every day of the week. Membership has certainly seesawed over the years but, when the Australia Remembers program was introduced in 1994, there was renewed interest in the club and, in particular, in Anzac Day. With this program came a resurgence of membership and an Anzac Day service that is held every year at the memorial park, which is attended by over 5,000 local residents. My own participation each year is something very special to me and it is a wonderful sight each year to see the crowds grow with support from the local community.

The Anzac spirit is alive and well in Burleigh Heads, and the Burleigh subbranch makes a point of reaching out into the community through the local schools and involving both young and old in remembering our war veterans. I would like to say a special thank you to Mr Ken McNaught, Mr Chris Keating and Mr Ben Shuster, who have each made me feel very much part of the club over the years. These three gentlemen and all the club members deserve full credit for their work in our local community and their dedication and commitment to the Anzac spirit.

I would also tonight like to pay tribute to Robina Lions Club on the occasion of their 15th anniversary. Robina Lions is very special to me personally as I am a member of this particular club. Charter president Toula Singer compiled a special anniversary booklet celebrating this special milestone, and her continued support and encouragement of the club is certainly to be commended. In the few short years I have known this lady and her husband, Ray, I have never ceased to be amazed at the work they undertake in our local community. Robina Lions received its charter on 18 February 1989, with nine female and 15 male members. Over the years, membership has increased and decreased but the commitment to the Lions code of ethics and the strong belief and work that has gone into the local community and local projects has never dimmed. The commemoration booklet is a wonderful history of achievement for this small but hardworking club. As Toula herself said, compiling the booklet was a labour of love. Toula was the first female Lions Club president in Queensland—she was certainly a pioneer for women in Lions. Lions International has worldwide respect; it is a wonderful service organisation and one I am proud to be a member of, particularly of Robina Lions. I would like to take this opportunity of wishing all Robina Lions another rewarding and successful 15 years.