Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Some of the Central Gold Coast's most inspirational residents were honoured at the recent Gold Coast Australia Day Awards. I'd like to highlight the Gold Coast Citizen of the Year, Professor Mark von Itzstein, who I've commended in this place before. He's director and research head at the Griffith University Institute for Glycomics. Mark was recognised for his incredible work in the biomedical field of glycomics and has raised the city's profile as a leader in education and research. In December, the institute signed a multimillion-dollar deal partnering with Hong Kong medical giant China Grand Pharma to further develop the drug to combat the human parainfluenza virus, one of the most common causes of respiratory illnesses in infants and the sick and elderly. Professor von Itzstein has been working on the breakthrough drug for a decade.

He was one of many recognised for their outstanding contributions to our community, including Judith Ferber for her service to the performing arts, Carol 'Carlotta' Spencer also for her service to the performing arts and the LGBTIQ community, Grant Hunt for his service to tourism, William Goodrem for his service to the Southport community and John Witheriff for his service to business. Thank you to all of you for your tireless service to the Gold Coast community and for making our city a much better place to live.

See this speech in context