Pat LaManna
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (13:11): I want to draw attention to the sad death of Pat LaManna OAM, a great Victorian who was senior of the year in 2009 and, obviously, recently passed away on 10 February this year. He battled adversity in the years after his arrival in Australia from Italy in 1948, but he was a great entrepreneur and gave back to many charities in Australia and indeed overseas. He was honoured for his remarkable contribution to our country through the OAM. His family and the community believe his achievements should be acknowledged and celebrated further, and I agree with them. The LaMannas are a great family, but he typifies their contribution to the community through his lifelong service and the incredible impact he had on so many in this state.
He founded the Lions Club of Melbourne Markets and was a member for 40 years, and it became the highest fundraising Lions Club in Australia. He suffered a stroke in his late 60s and initiated the Pat LaManna Cancer and Research Stroke Foundation. His tireless fundraising efforts have resulted in millions of dollars being raised to help those in that need. His story is inspiring. It is a migrant story but it is also a story of great service, and I think we can be incredibly proud of Pat LaManna’s amazing contribution. I, for one, certainly regret his passing.