Honeysuckle Harbour Life

Honeysuckle welcomes new workers

Minister for the Hunter and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer) Jodi McKay took a shine to removing the locks of prominent business leaders from the Honeysuckle precinct this morning at the launch of the Hunter Development Corporation’s Leukaemia Foundation Shave for a Cure fundraiser.

Ms McKay said the Hunter Development Corporation supported the Leukaemia Foundation by hosting a free breakfast to welcome around 650 new staff from NIB and GHD to the Honeysuckle precinct.

“This event recognises that Honeysuckle has become an important commercial hub for the city, with a total of around 2,500 people working in the precinct each day,” Ms McKay said.

“It’s pleasing to see so many Honeysuckle workers support the Shave for a Cure initiative by having their head shaved or sponsoring their colleagues to get their heads shaved or hair dyed.”

Ms McKay said one in 53 males and one in 86 females are likely to be diagnosed with leukaemia in their lifetime.

“The main risk factors include exposure to ionising radiation and certain chemicals, such as petroleum products and paint, and some pesticides.

“The Leukaemia Foundation is a great cause, and these funds will not only be spent on working to find a cure but also helping those families affected by the disease.”

Hunter Development Corporation General Manager Craig Norman said the event was a great way to welcome new staff to the Honeysuckle community and showed the urban renewal project was coming of age.

“The Honeysuckle project has generated more than $1.3 billion in economic activity to date and there is much more to come,” Mr Norman said.

One of the first Honeysuckle employees to have his head shaved by the Minister was Hunter Water Corporation Managing Director Kevin Young, who has made a habit of getting involved in raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.

“Hunter Water has had close ties to the Leukaemia Foundation for a few years now and it is only fitting that we extend that link with our Honeysuckle neighbours. It’s wonderful that the Honeysuckle community recognise the importance of supporting charities and gets involved in fundraising that makes a difference to people’s lives.”

Honeysuckle businesses supporting Shave for a Cure include Hunter Water, Hunter Development Corporation, NIB, GHD, Sparke Helmore and Price Waterhouse Coopers.

The Honeysuckle community hopes to raise at least $10,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.