Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Ben Auckram is a local boy who is in year 7 at Trinity Catholic College in Lismore. Ben has spina bifida, resulting in him spending most of his young life in a wheelchair, and he has never really participated in sports, due to his disability. Fifteen months ago, Ben, along with his parents, made a life-changing decision which would benefit his health and increase muscle tone in his body. The decision was to take up swimming. It was at that time he joined the Lismore Workers Swim Team, and since then there has been no holding him back. Ben trains four afternoons a week with his local coach, Peter Harvey, as well as competing in swim meets most weekends at various levels. His most recent success was at a national competition in Brisbane which was held in April, at which Ben broke the Australian record for his event. The event was 400 metres freestyle, 13 years S7 multiclass swimmers. Ben's parents, Keron and Tony, as well as big brother, Jack, are Ben's biggest supporters, and they could not be prouder. Congratulations, Ben, you are an inspiration.

On 5 June a much loved, valued and respected member of our community, Jenny Hankinson, passed away unexpectedly. Throughout her life, Jenny was a dedicated emergency services volunteer who contributed much to our community. Jenny had an unwavering devotion to the Rural Fire Service and passed away alongside her RFS crewmates while conducting routine maintenance at the Casino air base. Despite the extraordinary efforts of her crew, Anthony, Mark and Lyndsay, along with Ambulance Service paramedics and hospital teams, Jenny could not be saved. Jenny's daughter Laurel praised the extraordinary efforts of her mother's crew. She said that, if it were not for them, doctors could not have saved Jenny's organs, which are now providing life and hope to at least five other families. Even in death, Jenny is still giving to benefit others, and she would have wanted nothing else. Jenny is also the mother-in-law of Laurel and Kevin and Chris and Fiona and a devoted 'Jen' to Matthew. She will be sadly missed by many friends and colleagues. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Jenny's family, friends and fellow RFS members—in particular, the Northern Rivers Aviation Support Brigade and the Alstonville/Wollongbar Brigade, of which she was a member.

The June long weekend is a time when local people are recognised for their commitment to our society and community. In this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list, several valued members of my community received various awards. John Murray, from Woolgoolga, was awarded an Emergency Service Medal for his 15 years commitment to the Woolgoolga Marine Rescue unit. He is also the unit commander. Robert Cox, from Corindi Beach, and Alan Tucker, from Grafton, both received the Australian Fire Service Medal, for their outstanding service to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.

The Hon. John Hannaford, from Woolgoolga, received an Order of Australia Medal for his significant service to the Parliament of New South Wales, law reform and the community. Gwyneth Austen, from Red Rock, was also awarded an Order of Australia Medal, for her services to the community of Red Rock, which include being a founding member and secretary of the preservation association since 1985. John Barnes, from Alstonville, also received an OAM, for his services to the Northern Rivers community. He has been an active member of the Alstonville Rotary Club and the New Italy Museum. John also was instrumental in coordinating the redevelopment of the Private Bugden VC Memorial in Alstonville back in 1996, and he has even written a book about the young local soldier who earned the highest honour medal in the defence forces, the Victoria Cross. John has also been a partner in local business Richmond Waste, providing innovation in the recycling industry.

Also recognised with an Order of Australia was Dr John Kramer, from Woolgoolga, for his services over many decades as a much loved GP in the region. And Ian Robinson received his OAM posthumously, for his committed service to the parliaments of both Australia and New South Wales. Commander Rod Fayle received an Order of Australia Medal for his significant contributions to the macadamia-growing industry. Before that, he had served as a submarine commander in the Royal Australian Navy. Lastly, I would like to congratulate Jenny Dowell on receiving her OAM for her commitment to the local government and community of Lismore. She was a much admired and loved mayor for eight years. My congratulations and thanks to them all.

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