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

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who received awards at recent Australia Day celebrations in Coffs Harbour. From my electorate, Awal Maker from Sapphire Beach and Isaiah Koopmans from Woolgoolga both received awards. Awal is a former refugee who has made a profound impact on our local community through her work as a leader and mentor. She has been a member of the Woolgoolga High SRC and has been an active member of the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors. She was the Lions Youth of the Year in 2016 and Zonta's Young Women in Public Affairs Award winner in 2017. She also received the National Council of Women's Dame Marie Bashir Peace Award in 2017. Last year Awal also became an Australian citizen. I have met her on a number of occasions and she is truly inspirational.

Isaiah Koopmans from Woolgoolga received recognition for his outstanding sporting achievements in the areas of triathlon, running and swimming. He has represented his school at regional and state level athletics. Isaiah competed last weekend in Canberra, where he placed second in his age group in the Canberra Triathlon Festival. This was a world cup qualifying event. He hopes to gain enough points to qualify for the world triathlon age group championships being held on the Gold Coast late next year. Congratulations, Isaiah, and good luck.

The Clarence Valley Australia Day awards were recently announced, and I would like to acknowledge the nominees and the following award winners. The joint winners of the citizen of the year award were Des Harvey and Melissa Livermore. Des has been an integral part of the community for many decades. Melissa volunteers at Camelia Cottage and devotes her time to the youth in our community, creating and maintaining personal development programs. The young citizen of the year was Jeremy Jablonski. The local hero was Phil Bailey. The community achievement award went to Clarence Valley Conservation in Action. Congratulations to you all. It was wonderful to be at the event.

The Lismore Australia Day awards were recently announced, and I would like to acknowledge the nominees and the following award winners. The Lismore citizen of the year was Anna Ludvik. The young citizen of the year was Benjamin Auckram—congratulations, Ben. The Aboriginal citizen of the year was Ayden Miners. The services in community individual award went to Michael Berry. The services in community group award went to the Lismore Girl Guides, Jacki Scutt and the 1st Lismore Scout Group. The sportsperson was James Durheim—well done, James. The sports organisation award went to the Dunoon United Football Club—a good footy club that my daughter used to play for. The sustainable environment award went to the Lismore City Council Recycling and Recovery Centre staff. Congratulations to you all.

The Kyogle Australia Day awards were recently announced, and I would like to acknowledge all of the nominees and the following award winners. The senior citizen of the year was Jenny Hastie. The citizen of the year was Louise Petherbridge. The junior citizen of the year was Eloise Crawter. The senior sportsperson was Dean Ferris and the junior sportsperson was Rocco Partridge. The junior student award went to Tom Brosnan, and Emily Ferguson received the senior student award.

In Woodenbong the citizen of the year award went to Lynnette Parker. Katelyn Grimmett received both the young citizen of the year and sportsperson of the year awards. The community organisation or event award went to Woodenbong Preschool and Kindergarten. The business/service award went to the Woodenbong grocery store, which is owned by Manoj and Priti Kumar. Congratulations to you all.

The west of the ranges citizen of the year award went to Stephen Symonds. The senior citizen of the year award went to Jill Gorry. The junior citizen and sportsperson was Tess Codrington. The business/service award went to BankHouse Originals' Susanne Richardson. The community organisation award went to the Upper Clarence and Bonalbo Senior Citizens Christmas Party. Congratulations to you all.

The Richmond Valley Australia Day awards were recently held, and I would like to acknowledge the following nominees and award winners. The citizen of the year award went to Pam Bellingham. The young citizen of the year award went to Alice Magner. The sportsperson of the year award went to Eileen Byers and the young sportsperson of the year award was awarded to Caroline Sankey. Betty Archer received the volunteer of the year award. The joint winners of the young volunteer of the year award were Theodore Scholl and William Genge. Congratulations to all nominees and award winners.

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