Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to provide an update on the 2015 Pride of Australia awards. I talked about the nominations here a little while ago, and it gives me great pleasure to now reveal the following winners that were announced last week by the NT News.

Belinda Marshall won the courage award. Belinda had leukaemia 20 years ago. Her health is still not fabulous, but that has not stopped her. She made an outstanding effort raising over $150,000 for leukaemia. She deservedly won the courage award.

The inspiration award was won by Dr Rama Jayaraj, who is a clinical scientist and cancer researcher at the wonderful Charles Darwin University. He has inspired his students through an integrated, case-based approach to learning. He is also another deserving winner.

The environment award winner was Mandy Hall, who has worked with the Ark Animal Hospital, a fantastic facility in Palmerston. She has done some great work there helping wildlife. We are very, very pleased that Mandy was the winner of this award.

Anyone who knows anyone who does foster caring should be so grateful to these wonderful people. Marieanna Hammond, an extraordinary foster mother from Alice Springs, has been doing foster care for more than 10 years, mainly with children with high needs. She was also a very deserving winner of the care and compassion award.

The young leader award was awarded to Abbey Holmes, who is an extraordinary young woman. She is absolutely gorgeous. She is just a delight. She is a fantastic sportsperson. She is a business woman. She is just incredible. She has raised money for prostate cancer. She is someone that we need to watch.

The community spirit award was won by Andrew Warton, who is another fantastic Territorian. He is working with Lifeline at the moment, but he has done some extraordinary things, including being the founder of kayak for youth. This award was very well deserved.

The Heroism award was won by Steve Martz, who has spent 17 years saving lives working with CareFlight. He is another very deserved winner. Kourtney Rimmer won the Child of Courage award. An eight-year-old boy who suffers from autism, he has cycled and run more than 100 kilometres, raising $4,300 for Autism NT. Lee-Anne Stallan won the Outstanding Bravery award and Romola Sebastianpillai won the Fair Go award. The People's Choice award was won by Bob Shewring for his endeavours to bring home the bodies of soldiers left buried overseas. Well done. Thank you everybody.

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