Ms BRODTMANN (Canberra) (13:55): Today I recognise the valuable contribution made by Bosom Buddies ACT in providing support to women and their families living with breast cancer. Bosom Buddies ACT is a group of volunteers, many of whom are breast cancer survivors, who provide friendship and hope to those diagnosed with breast cancer throughout their treatment and recovery. The volunteers help in any way they can by providing advice and fellowship, transport to medical appointments and support workshops and social activities. Bosom Buddies ACT also raises awareness about breast cancer and is a strong advocate for improving treatment and services for breast cancer patients. Through its fundraising, Bosom Buddies ACT has donated to the Calvary and Canberra hosp­itals oncology equipment valued at over $40,000, provided funding for research and professional development training for breast care nurses and resources for Heads Up at Calvary. Bosom Buddies was founded in the ACT in 1995 by Shirley Fitzgerald and a group of other women who had experienced breast cancer.

It is an honour to be a Bosom Buddies ACT ambassador, along with five other Canberrans, including the former member for Canberra Annette Ellis. We ambassadors have been given a hat to decorate as part of the Hat Hat Hooray competition to raise funds. Between now and mid-September I will be getting out the felt and the feathers to come up with a creation that will, hopefully, raise lots of money for this great cause.