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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-03-05 Daily Xml
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WORLD'S GREATEST SHAVE

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (15:48): I rise today to speak about the World's Greatest Shave. Since 1998, the World's Greatest Shave has raised in excess of $67 million. It is now the 10th anniversary of that particular event. Every year, around 100,000 people across the country pledge to shave, or colour their hair, to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. Money raised will care for patients and families living with leukaemia, lymphomas, myeloma and blood-related disorders. I have made my intentions clear to some members here about participating in this activity.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: I know; I am a champion. I do this with the greatest sincerity. I remember speaking in this council last year to offer my condolences to the family of former senator Jeannie Ferris. Last year, also, a sister of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. As I stand here, I wait to hear about a friend in Sydney who has had a very bad prognosis after a diagnosis of prostate cancer. It is something that is near and dear to my heart. I think this is an issue that all members would agree is above politics. I have asked some members to team up to participate in this, and I am awaiting answers from those members.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: I beg your pardon?

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: I do not want to give you too many choices! I think that, for this parliament, this could be seen as a way of raising further awareness with respect to the issue of cancer. The Hon. Paul Holloway said the other day that South Australia has one of the highest incidences of cancer, and we still do not know why. It would enable the public to see that people from this place and the other place are prepared to put their money where their mouth is and support this cause, and there is the potential for this place to raise between $7,000 and $10,000 if we were to put our mind to it.

I believe that there is a record to be broken here. Between 16 and 17 April 1999, more heads than ever before were shaved around the world in a 24-hour period, and this foundation is looking to break that record this year. If we can establish a team to do this, and send out a clear message that we are very much in touch with the pain of the community and the pain that families feel living with a member who has cancer, and also for those who themselves have cancer, it will be a very worthwhile exercise to undertake.

I note that the Hon. Stephen Wade is very eager to talk across the chamber while I am delivering this most important message—and I might add that he is one of the wusses who said that he will not participate in the great shave because his wife would not give him permission. So, I suggest that he sit and be quiet and listen to what we have to say about the importance of this exercise and the number of people who suffer in our community because of cancer.

I also note that the Hon. Rob Lawson was trying to think of a sum that would be adequate to pay to see me bald. Maybe we can get together and discuss that. I leave this with honourable members for their information and consideration and I ask that, when the time comes, they dig deep and make this a worthwhile exercise for this parliament and the people of South Australia.

Time expired.

The PRESIDENT: I am sure that all honourable members are aware of the worthiness of this cause, regardless of what they do with their hair.

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