Nicolle Flint (Boothby, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today I would like to congratulate the recipients of the Order of Australia awards in the 2018 Australia Day honours within my electorate of Boothby. I thank my colleague for moving this motion so we may do so. In the Australian honours system, appointments to the Order of Australia confer the highest recognition for outstanding achievement and service. This award is the pre-eminent way Australians recognise the achievements and service of their fellow citizens, and each of these recipients was nominated directly by people within our community. This is testament to the impact the award winners and their services had on our community and the appreciation felt by their peers. This year a number of the South Australian recipients are residents of my electorate of Boothby. I am honoured to be able to congratulate them today and to highlight their contributions to the community, not just in Boothby and South Australia but, indeed, for the nation.

I acknowledge the following residents of my community for their outstanding service. Professor John Turnidge was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to medicine as an infectious disease physician and microbiologist. The professor is particularly recognised for his contribution to the advancement of health policy in the area of antimicrobial resistance and professional medical organisations. Adjunct Professor Charlotte Champion de Crespi was made a Member of the Order of the Australia for her significant service to nursing and to nurse education, particularly in the field of drug and alcohol care and to Indigenous health projects. Dr Mary Harris was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to community health, specifically to workforce management, administration, policy reform and to medical education. Mrs Anat Kaur Sandhu was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to the restaurant and catering industry in South Australia and to the community through her support for charitable organisations.

Emeritus Professor Grant Townsend was made a Member of the Order of Australia:

For significant service to dentistry in the field of craniofacial biology, and to dental education through research, teaching and mentoring roles.

Mr Roy Arnold was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to people with a disability. Dr Richard Cockington was awarded a medal in the general division for his distinguished service to medicine as a paediatrician. Mr Stephen Tasker, was awarded an Ambulance Service Medal for distinguished service to his duties and career in the South Australian Ambulance Service. Mr Rhys Roberts was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the community in a range of roles. I know Mr Roberts and his family well, particularly his wonderful wife, Helen, and I was delighted to see Mr Roberts recognised for his tireless service to our community. He is known to so many people in our area through a variety of roles, whether through Lions or the Blackwood Memorial Hall to name just two.

Mr Trevor Whitelaw was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia:

For service to veterans and their families, to lawn bowls, and to the environment.

I also know Mr Whitelaw, his wife, Jo, and daughter, Stacey, well. Several events that have been particularly special and memorable to me as the member for Boothby have involved Mr Whitelaw. These include the Anzac Day service at Brighton, at which I was privileged to speak last year, and the 50th National RSL Lawn Bowls Carnival, which was held at the Marion Bowling Club in my electorate, and which I was honoured to open and speak at on behalf of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs on 29 December 2016. It was also where I famously said, 'I don't mind who wins as long as it's not the Victorians and the Victorians won!

See this speech in context