Mr Swan was born and educated in Nambour, Queensland. He won a Commonwealth scholarship to study public administration at the University of Queensland, becoming a lecturer in the Department of Management at the Queensland Institute of Technology before entering politics.

From 1978 to 1980 Mr Swan was an advisor to the Leader of the Opposition Bill Hayden, and from 1983 to 1984 was an advisor to federal Labor ministers Mick Young and Kim Beazley.

Following the 2007 federal election of the Rudd government, Mr Swan was appointed Treasurer. He is married and has three children.

At age 48, Wayne Swan was diagnosed with prostate cancer but has since fully recovered.

He has become an advocate for the prostate cancer public awareness campaign.

Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin said that for more than 20 years the Light on the Hill Dinner has been one of the most important events on the Australian Labor Party calendar.

“Past speakers have included Gough Whitlam, Paul Keating, Noel Pearson, Peter Beattie, Gabi Hollows, Barry Jones, Bob Hawke and Morris Iemma,” Mr Martin said.

The dinner and Light on the Hill address will be held at the Panthers Leagues Club on Saturday September 19 from 7pm. Tickets cost $75 per head or $55 for pensioners and can be purchased at Mr Martin’s Bathurst office at 140 William Street. Tickets need to be booked and paid for by Wednesday, September 11.