Member for Hawkesbury and Minister for Finance, Services and Property Dominic Perrottet today joined staff from the Richmond Service NSW Centre to host a fundraising barbeque for the Blue Datto Foundation.
Blue Datto aims to educate young people about road safety, providing targeted road safety programs to Year 10 students. The charity was established by the family of local teenager Phillip Vassallo, who tragically died after a road collision near Penrith.
Staff at Richmond Service NSW organised and hosted the fundraiser, and were joined by Mr Perrottet and members of the Vassallo family, along with Blue Datto patron and Rugby League legend Mark Geyer.
Mr Perrottet said road safety is a priority for the NSW Government, with $307 million allocated in the current financial year to fund road safety measures including upgrades, police enforcement operations and education.
“Too many young people are injured or killed on our roads every year, and it’s something that touches families and communities everywhere, particularly in Western Sydney and here in Hawkesbury,” he said.
“While the Government devotes significant resources to educating young people about road safety, including in our schools, we can’t fix this problem alone.
“That’s why I’m proud to support the Blue Datto Foundation’s fantastic work, sharing a powerful message about road safety with young people to make a real difference.”
The Blue Datto Foundation is initially focusing on Western Sydney schools, with plans to cover schools across state by 2020.
Mr Perrottet commended the staff at the Richmond Service Centre for organising and hosting the fundraiser, which will help Blue Datto to continue its important work.
“The Service NSW team is very community-minded, and that shows not just in their commitment to local causes like this one, but also in their commitment to excellence in customer service,” he said.
“Service NSW centres are where young people go to get their first licence and get on the road, so the team here knows just how important road safety is.”
For more information about Service NSW go to www.service.nsw.gov.au, download the mobile app, or call the Contact Centre on 13 77 88.
Photo Caption: Pictured left to right – Minister Dominic Perrottet with Service NSW Manager Christine Kosorukow, Rugby League legend Mark Geyer, Service NSW CEO Rachna Gandhi, Richmond Manager Danielle Abela, and Blue Datto’s Lauren Northern and Colleen Vassallo.