David Feeney (Batman, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Justice) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you to the member for Berowra for bringing forward this motion and offering us all an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the extraordinary members of our community who were recognised on Australia Day in the honours list.

In an age of cynicism, it can sometimes be easy to forget the thousands of people out there working every day to make our country a better place. The Australia Day Honours List offers an opportunity to not only recognise extraordinary service but also set a standard, to inspire us all to do better and to be better.

Our local Medal of the Order of Australia recipient for 2017 was Dorothy Reading. Dorothy was recognised with this prestigious award for her many years of service to cancer prevention programs such as Quit, PapScreen Victoria and BreastScreen Victoria. Her long-term and ongoing dedication is an inspiration to all those who know her. Despite all her commitments, she always has time to volunteer. She is tireless and offers advice and support to those who need it. I am very proud to know Dorothy. She is a true local community activist and a true comrade.

This year four, Batman locals were appointed as Officers of the Order of Australia for their contributions and outstanding service to the community. They are Professor Ian Johnston, Professor David Laurence Vaux, Mr Ahmed Fahour and Mr Roland Elias Jabbour. Their contributions range across work in engineering, medicine, industry and multiculturalism.

Professor Johnston was recognised for his distinguished service to engineering as an academic, researcher, practitioner and consultant, particularly in the fields of structural foundation engineering and geothermal energy. Professor Vaux has provided dedicated service to medicine in the field of biomedical cancer research, to higher education as an academic and mentor, and to professional integrity and ethics. Mr Roland Elias Jabbour has provided significant contributions to Australian industry and, indeed, more broadly to Australian-Arab relations.

Finally, Ms Helen Norma Evans was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for her incredible work in and service to global health as an advocate for the improved treatment of infectious diseases in underprivileged populations, particularly for women and children. Her work has reached well beyond our community, beyond the borders of our nation, to change the lives of others across the globe.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate those in my local community who were awarded Darebin Australia Day awards. These awards recognise outstanding talent and extraordinary contribution to the local community.

Citizen of the Year was awarded to Rossella D'Arienzo. Rossella has been a dedicated volunteer at St Gabriel's Primary School for 17 years, helping students struggling with English to enjoy their time at school and to reach and achieve their potential. In a highly diverse, multicultural electorate, such as my electorate of Batman, it is people like Rossella, committed to helping and welcoming migrants, that make it the best place to live. Young Citizen of the Year was Lucy Grage-Perry, for her work with Parkside Netball Club, while Millbrooke Calisthenics Club was named community club of the year. Congratulation to the recipients of the Order of Australia and the Darebin Australia Day awards. Thank you.

Thank you also to all those in the community who volunteer, support, organise, advocate, educate and work tirelessly, often without recognition, for the betterment of our community and our nation. They are the backbone of our community; they are the backbone of every community; and we are grateful.

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