Ms TRISH DOYLE (Blue Mountains): Last month members of the Rotary Club of Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise, friends, family and the community welcomed home local residents Bob Montgomery and Peter Shehadie. I joined them to applaud their efforts. Bob, who is in his seventies, had just completed a bike ride—with Peter nearby in the Winnebago support vehicle—from Perth to Leura. This would be a daunting feat even for people half their age. They did this to raise funds for motor neurone disease. Their journey was far from simple. Along the way, Bob's wife and support driver, Jenny, developed an acute kidney infection. She was transported to Kalgoorlie by the Royal Flying Doctor Service for treatment. Jenny was eventually taken home to Leura. Bob caught the Indian Pacific across the Nullarbor to make up 1,000 kilometres and join his team at Port Augusta. He averaged 150 kilometres a day. He made many new friends along the way and earned deep respect from others. Most importantly, he raised more than $35,000 for motor neurone disease research. Bob explained:

So if I can generate some awareness of the disease and generate a few bob along the way using my energy to raise funds and awareness, then that's a good thing.

I congratulate Bob and Peter on their efforts.