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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-11-14 Daily Xml
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SABRINA MANGOS FOUNDATION

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:54): Today I will speak about a beautiful little girl, Sabrina Mangos, and the foundation that has been established in honour of her memory. Sabrina tragically passed away on 7 August 2011 after becoming involved in a motor accident in the last few hours of a five-week holiday in New York with her parents, Michael and Valerie, and her brothers Sam and Nicholas. It was a tragic end to a family holiday that changed the course of the Mangos family's history forever.

Some 15 months on, Michael and Valerie's pain is still as raw as it was the day Sabrina passed away and it goes without saying that they have a long journey ahead of them in trying to come to terms with their loss. At the same time, they have been extremely touched by the vast number of people who have reached out to them during this most difficult time in their lives.

The letters, the cards, the phone calls, the incredible sorrow and the emotional support that has been extended to the Mangos family not only from people who knew Sabrina but from complete strangers who were so taken aback by the news of her passing has been overwhelming. I want to share some of Sabrina's qualities that have been relayed to me by my staff member Connie who is a very close friend of the Mangos family.

I am told that despite being only 10, Sabrina was cluey well beyond her years and never missed a beat. Even the most cryptic of conversations, something that all parents tend to do when children are present, would not pass her by. Sabrina had a witty sense of humour and often left her family and school friends in stitches with her funny stories. She fussed over her dog Aspro like a mum and she took great joy in annoying her two older brothers. She was inquisitive and would ask her mum, Valerie, about all manner of things that often left her wondering what went on in her little girl's head. Sabrina had a serious side as well. She worried when her parents worried and often considered it her responsibility to take care of things.

Despite her young age, Sabrina herself recognised and appreciated the sacrifices her parents made for her. She knew only too well that her parents worked extremely hard to provide her and her brothers with the best opportunities in life. Her caring nature extended to her school life where she was well known amongst her school friends as the gatekeeper, always concerned about everybody else and keeping the peace between friends.

Sabrina loved to love and loved to give and approached life with a glass half full not half empty attitude, showing a keen interest in helping others less fortunate than her. It is for this reason that the Sabrina Mangos Foundation was established in her honour, to raise funds and to continue Sabrina's spirit for life, love, family, friends and her passion for giving. At the moment, funds raised by the foundation are being directed towards the Women's and Children's Hospital Foundation in the hope that the money raised will go towards helping other families affected by trauma.

Most of the funds received to date have resulted, primarily, from the efforts of four generous women—Amanda, Lyndi, Lee and Sarah—who, for the past few months, have been training and fundraising tirelessly in preparation for the New York City Marathon which was to be held on 4 November. To date, I understand they have raised over $10,000 for the Women's and Children's Hospital in honour of Sabrina. Even though the marathon was cancelled as a result of recent disasters in the US, I am told that the women took part in helping with the clean-up instead, an equally deserving cause.

In the future, the foundation hopes to support causes that Sabrina herself showed a keen interest in, including supporting underprivileged children and providing music tuition for students. The foundation stands for more than just fundraising. It has provided Sabrina's family and friends with a means of dealing with their own grief, particularly at times when they have felt helpless.

I am sure there will be many times when Michael and Valerie will think that they took for granted that Sabrina would always be here but those who knew Sabrina, and even those who did not, knew that she could not have asked for more loving parents and more loving brothers. Importantly, Sabrina knew she was truly blessed. Their little girl's memory will never fade for those who knew and loved her.

She will always be remembered by her family, her friends, her schoolmates and, indeed, the entire Immanuel College community. It is only fitting that Sabrina be remembered in this place as well. I ask all honourable members to take the time to look at the foundation's website at www.sabrinamangosfoundation.org.au and lend their support to this great cause in honour of Sabrina's memory.

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