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Friday, 27 June 2008 |
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Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [11.38 a.m.]: I acknowledge the comments of the member for Wyong, and commend him for his support of the wonderful Sea Eagles rugby league team. I seek the indulgence of the Chamber this morning, as I fear there is a danger that I may become emotional as I speak on this topic. I have three young children aged 11, nine and five years, and each day I count my lucky stars and blessings that they are healthy and vibrant. They bring a rich joy to my life. I acknowledge the presence of future leaders of this State in the public gallery. Their healthy young faces remind us that we can hope even when facing the darkest of circumstances. I am glad that they will hear about Bear Cottage.
Bear Cottage, the State's only children's hospice, was built in 2001 at a cost of $10 million, raised entirely from community donations and corporate sponsorships. There was a rallying call to look after young children in their time of need. Bear Cottage was initiated by two palliative care doctors at the Children's Hospital, Westmead, who had heard about a similar facility in the United Kingdom. Bear Cottage provides palliative care to children who have terminal illnesses who may have a few years or a few months to live. It is hard to come to grips with a young life being snuffed out. Bear Cottage also provides respite care for the families of the sick children, end-of-life bereavement support, and a holiday environment for families looking after a terminally ill child.
Bear Cottage is located in Manly, and I know that it is wonderful to have such a facility for the children and their families in my electorate. Bear Cottage has multi-sensory rooms that are bright and filled with professional staff and volunteers who spend their time day in and day out trying to make a difference for the families who are looking after a terminally ill child. I will reflect on a bedroom at the back of Bear Cottage, which is just like the bedrooms of the young people in the public gallery today. The bedroom is temperature controlled and when children are coming to the end of their days they are moved to that room. The hope in that room is that there is life beyond. Families dealing with loss are comforted by the extraordinary human endeavours of the volunteers who support them. Some of the comments of the children have been:
When I go home I miss Bear Cottage. I don't like going home, I think here is best I don't want to go back to reality.
I thought it would be like a hospital but it's not, it's just like a holiday house!
It's very fun and it is like you're at a fun park playing.
The people here are great they don't only look after the sick kids, they look after the whole family.
Bear Cottage makes the end of life for these young children a better place. I have asked the Minister for Health to visit Bear Cottage to share and understand its importance. I ask that she and the State Government in every possible way support the services that Bear Cottage provides.
Ms VIRGINIA JUDGE (Strathfield—Parliamentary Secretary) [11.43 a.m.]: I thank the member for Manly for bringing to the attention of members of Parliament and staff the amazing work of the professionals and volunteers at the wonderful Bear Cottage located in his electorate. It is fitting that a number of young people who are our potential leaders and may one day deliver a speech in this Chamber are in the public gallery. Life is such a precious gift and every human being is unique with wonderful talents and potential. It is terribly sad when people lose the opportunity to realise their potential and to experience the beautiful things in this wonderful gift of life. It is sad when any human being suffers, particularly when they suffer for many months with a terminal illness. I commend Bear Cottage for its work in the Manly electorate. I am sure every member of Parliament has been moved to hear of the tragedy that sadly besets families in this great State of New South Wales.
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