The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (12:37): I move:

(1)That this House notes that:

(a)on 28 October 2025, The Welfare Fund Limited celebrated its eightieth anniversary at a dinner held at the Royal Automobile Club, Sydney;

(b)the history of The Welfare Fund has its origins in the comfort fund which sent packages to service people overseas during World War II;

(c)in June 1945 the Commissioner for Railways established The NSW Railway Employees Patriotic and Welfare Fund to help railway employees and their families in times of financial distress mainly due to injury or illness and loss of life;

(d)the fund also included help during disasters such as fires and floods and centralised giving to charitable organisations;

(e)the fund's welfare officers were active at the Granville train disaster and visited the families and attended the funerals of the victims;

(f)the fund was incorporated in 1996 and became a mutual fund in 2012 and abbreviated its name to The Welfare Fund Limited;

(g)the objects of the fund have remained over the decades and:

(i)provide assistance whether monetary or in kind to members who are in necessitous circumstances at the discretion of the directors; and

(ii)promote philanthropy including welfare, medical research, disabilities and family support.

(h)the fund has established numerous initiatives such as:

(i)the Welfare Fund Public Trust Fund;

(ii)Funeral Contribution Fund;

(iii)small loans scheme;

(iv)education subsidies;

(v)counselling services; and

(vi)Helper Mate peer support.

(i)charitable organisations which the fund has donated to include:

(i)Legacy;

(ii)the Heart Foundation;

(iii)Spectrum NSW;

(iv)the Children's Medical Research Institute;

(v)the Children's Hospital;

(vi)Guide Dogs NSW;

(vii)St John Ambulance;

(viii)Youth off the Streets;

(ix)the Arthritis Movement;

(x)the Salvation Army;

(xi)elimination of violence against women, safe houses, shelters and refuges;

(xii)the Blue Mountains railway retired men's association; and

(xiii)the Salaried Officers' Picnic.

(2)That this House acknowledges and commends Mr Jason Whyte who has been involved with the fund for 43 years as a director and chairperson, and Mr Michael Bold, who had been a director of the fund for 30 years, for their leadership and stability over the many decades of the fund.

Motion agreed to.