FED:PM sends message of support to Stynes

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2011
FED:PM sends message of support to Stynes

MELBOURNE, Aug 6 AAP - Prime Minister Julia Gillard has sent a message of support to
gravely ill Melbourne Football Club president Jim Stynes as he continues to battle cancer.

Stynes, 45, was back at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre on Wednesday for further
tests on his stomach tumour.

Ms Gillard said she had been privileged to meet with Stynes and discuss his work with
young and disadvantaged Australians.

"I think we're all thinking about Jim," she told reporters in Melbourne on Saturday.

"He was a tremendous footballer. He's a great Australian and a person of remarkable
courage ... to keep coming out, being there with his beloved football team and doing so
much great work amongst the Australian community.

"Our thoughts are certainly with him and his family."

Doctors have urged Stynes to quit his role as Melbourne Football Club president and
concentrate entirely on his fight against cancer.

When Stynes addressed the media on Monday to announce coach Dean Bailey's sacking he
appeared frail and slow on his feet, admitting his health fight had not been easy in recent
weeks.

In June, he endured his fifth operation to remove cancerous tumours from his brain.

AAP ees/cdh

KEYWORD: STYNES GILLARD

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