AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST MORNING TEA

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:26): I rise today to speak about Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. Most of my friends and colleagues would know that I love my scones and jam with my cup of English tea. I also enjoy having yum cha with family and friends. The Chinese words 'yum cha' directly translated mean 'drinking tea'. Nothing is more enjoyable than drinking jasmine tea and eating delicious dim sums and small dumplings. However, while I enjoy all forms of morning tea, today I would like to talk about a more important form of morning tea.

On 24 May 2012, I will be supporting one of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea events in Clare. It is the morning tea that has become one of the nation's best-loved fundraising events. The campaign plays a vital role in raising money towards the Cancer Council's work in research, prevention and support. The Cancer Council's website highlights that each and every day about 25 South Australians are diagnosed with cancer, a dreadful disease that will affect one in two people at some time in their lives.

I am sad to report that I have a number of close friends who have been affected by cancer. Being told that you have cancer can be extremely stressful. People may be overwhelmed with different feelings, anything from anger, shock and confusion to hopelessness. Common reactions to a cancer diagnosis include: 'I don't want to die. No-one else needs to know about this. Maybe it will go away. This can't be happening to me. What about my job? Who is going to look after my family? Why couldn't it be somebody else? I don't deserve this. People will now treat me differently. What am I going to do?'

People often hide their fears and negative thoughts from others. The Cancer Council helps people to overcome their anxiety so that they do not have to face it alone. Since 1928, Cancer Council SA has worked diligently to defeat cancer and create hope for the people it affects. Australia's Biggest Morning Tea plays a vital role in raising money towards the Cancer Council's work to undertake and fund cancer research, prevent and control cancer and provide information and support for people affected by the dreadful disease.

The success of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea comes from the generosity of time and money from all Australians, both individuals and organisations. I would like to acknowledge Jeni and Burt Surmon of Mt Surmon Wines, who have kindly made available their beautiful gallery at Mt Surmon Wines to host the Australia's Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser.

The former member of the Legislative Council, our dear friend the Hon. Caroline Schaefer, whom most of you know very well, has also been promoting the morning tea in Clare. I am very grateful for the generous contribution and the wonderful support.

The morning tea at Mt Surmon Wines has a unique theme that I would like to highlight: the artist exhibiting the artwork in the gallery is a talented South Australian artist by the name of Michelle Wheadon. Michelle has created a beautiful collection of art pieces centred around the theme of 'tea'. The artwork on display is connected to her cancer survivor's story.

Michelle Wheadon and I have been friends since our university days. To me, Michelle is not just a good friend but a transformer. When you hear the word 'transformer', I do not mean the human machines in the movie Transformer, nor do I mean the device used to transfer electricity from one circuit to another. Michelle is a transformer because she was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2008 and subsequently underwent surgery and six months of chemotherapy treatment. However, she survived that and has used and transformed her energy into painting one of the best art pieces. That is why this Australia's Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser in Clare has become very important. I encourage all members to support in one form or another a morning tea to support the Cancer Council.