Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

This motion gives all of us a chance to stand up and acknowledge our recipients of OAMs on Australia Day. In Bendigo, we had two brilliant Bendigonians acknowledged. I would like to acknowledge their achievements and recognition at the beginning of my contribution. It is fitting that the member for Murray is in the chamber whilst I mention these two outstanding individuals because, when he was the Minister for Veterans' Affairs in Victoria, he would have worked closely with Cliff Richards, OAM, and Susan McQueen, OAM. Both have been acknowledged for their contribution to veterans in central Victoria.

Cliff, who is a well-known and well-loved character— not just amongst the veterans' community but amongst the Bendigo community—served in the Australian Army during the Vietnam War. On his return, he joined the RSL, even though it was not popular to do so at the time. He has also been actively involved in Scouts. In 1997, Cliff was elected as the Senior Vice-President of the Bendigo District RSL. In 2002, he became the president. One of the things that Cliff has done so well is the way in which he has reached out to schools, to the younger generation, to involve them in the veterans' community. A number of innovative and amazing programs have flourished under his leadership at the Bendigo RSL. I must acknowledge the work he has done with the Bendigo South East College as well as the work he has done with the Bendigo redevelopment and revitalisation project in both Pall Mall and their outdoor museum.

Susan McQueen was also acknowledged, receiving an Order of Australia Medal for her services to veterans and their families. It is an odd place to have it, but there is a wonderful volunteer based service being run from the Bendigo Railway Station. On the left-hand side is the home of the veterans support group and organisation that they run. She began volunteering for the Central Victorian Vietnam Veterans Support Centre 30 years ago and, today and for many years, has been the centre's administrator. She now oversees a team of about 30 volunteers.

Her husband is a Vietnam veteran, and he currently works alongside her to assist veterans and their families. What is remarkable about this service and it being volunteer based is that they support people from all over Australia. They support veterans and their families navigate their way through a complex system. Susan talks about how quite often when veterans come to see her or to speak to her they put their hand up to say, 'Look, I'm not as bad as others,' or 'Do I really need this?' or 'Can you help me find my way through the system?' She is wonderful in the way in which she receives them and does the work, day in and day out. She was completely overwhelmed and shocked to receive the reward because she says she does it for the veterans, for their families and for the love of the community. These are just two of the many people who have been recognised over the years from the Bendigo community.

I would also, in this speech, like to acknowledge the ongoing contribution of other OAM winners, including: Valerie Broad, recognised for the tireless work she has done for the local arts community, in particular the Bendigo Youth Choir; and Dr Adel Asaid, who is ensuring that so many people in central Victoria have access to GP services. He has clinics in multiple locations and, without his GP clinics, people in towns like Elmore, Rochester, Boort and Heathcote would not have access to GP services—from the clinic based in Strathfieldsaye all the way out to these small towns in the area.

You cannot list recipients of this great honour in Bendigo without acknowledging the ongoing contribution of Gordon McKern. He is an institution within himself in Bendigo, and it is hard to go to a public function in Bendigo without bumping into Gordon McKern, whether it be on the arts, the inventors awards or a citizenship ceremony. Gordon is a great advocate for Bendigo—a great advocate for Bendigo businesses, community and council.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts and ongoing contribution that Patti Cotton makes to our community. She is somebody who speaks her mind and stands up for those who are most in need. We are very lucky to live in a part of the world like central Victoria, and it is great that so many central Victorians continue to be acknowledged through this program: the Order of Australia. Congratulations, once again.

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