Page 1565 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 7 May 2008
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the hospitality room to have breakfast if we go really late on Thursday night—who knows?
The history of the red breakfast dates back to when a young woman by the name of Christina Myers was working in my office. She came up with the idea that we could have a fundraising breakfast for the Heart Foundation and have foods that were naturally red in colour—red apples, watermelon, red grape juice, apple juice and things like that—and with the idea of having it as a healthy breakfast, the idea being that it is a healthy start to the day.
This will be the last time that I host the red breakfast, but I understand that there have been suggestions of support from a number of members in this place and candidates for this place after I depart in October—depart this place, not this mortal coil. I have spoken to Tony Stubbs from the Heart Foundation about it and I know that he appreciates the support that is provided by all members of this place with regard to that.
The Heart Foundation does an excellent job in terms of informing the community about the risks of heart disease and it being the biggest killer. It is, as I said, the biggest killer in Australian society. It is bigger than any one particular cancer, and I think it is bigger than all the cancers put together. In the last 20-plus years, we have come a long way in our understanding of heart disease, but there is always much further to go.
We know about the importance of a healthy diet, getting exercise, not smoking and the impact that stress has upon our heart health. It is important that we keep in mind that it is the biggest killer in our society and do what we can to support organisations like the Heart Foundation, which in the long run are supporting us.
Members in this place are aware of my personal reason for support of the Heart Foundation, having lost my father to a sudden heart attack in 1985, when I was 16. I do not think a day goes past when I do not regret that he was not here for a long time for me to have a conversation with as an adult, for him to meet my husband, my nephew and my sister-in-law, and generally for him to experience life with his family. I wanted to raise that. Members are not aware of it, but last year I lost a very close friend through heart disease. She was a heavy smoker and I regret that she has gone well before her time.
In closing, I want to acknowledge what Mr Mulcahy raised about the Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony last week. Within the Jewish community, it is referred to as Yom Hashoah; shoah is the Hebrew name for Holocaust. I reiterate all the things that Mr Mulcahy said about the importance of remembering the Holocaust and that eternal vigilance is important.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
The Assembly adjourned at 6.28 pm.
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