Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to acknowledge the contribution of five outstanding individuals from my electorate of Robertson who were recognised in the 2020 Queen's Birthday honours list. The list includes Terrigal's Michael Hickey, who's received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to veterans and their families and to our community. After serving in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1967, Michael continued to work diligently to support veterans and their families in our local community through roles with Legacy, Rotary International, and the Returned and Services League of Australia. Michael is currently the personnel committee chair of Brisbane Water Legacy, and he's been a member of the board since 2010. He serves his community as an active patrol member of the Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club. As a member their myself, I hope to see Michael in the summer when the patrol season starts again so I can congratulate him in person on the beach. Also from Terrigal, William Purcell, known to his friends as Bill, was awarded a Queen's Birthday honour for his significant service to tertiary education, business and Australia-Japan relations. Bill is a passionate advocate for international education. This passion has seen Bill work as Vice-Chancellor, International and Advancement, at the University of Technology, and as a deputy vice-chancellor, international, and dean of business at the University of Newcastle. Notably, Bill was also a professor of economics at the University of Tokyo between 1986 and 1990. I'd like to commend Bill Purcell for his contribution and commitment to higher education.

John McKenzie from Pretty Beach was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to the law and to social justice for the Indigenous community. John has worked in the New South Wales Legal Services Commission as the New South Wales Legal Services Commissioner since 2015 and, locally, worked as the Legal Aid New South Wales Gosford solicitor in charge from 1994 to 2001. He's held various roles for Aboriginal Legal Service, the Law Society of New South Wales, and the Central Coast Community Legal Service, and we thank John for all of the work that he has done.

Harold Sharp from Erina, who received the Medal of the Order of Australia, has held many positions within Rotary International and continues to serve the community and support charitable initiatives. He's the chair of Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children and the director of Better Hearing Australia. He's worked with local charities such as Fairhaven and Meals on Wheels Central Coast.

Former Minister for the Central Coast John Della Bosca was also recognised on the Queen's Birthday honours list. John served in a number of roles in the New South Wales government, including as Leader of the Government in the New South Wales Legislative Council, and held a number of ministerial portfolios, including education and training, health, finance and disability services. He served for 11 years, leaving in 2010 to assist in the establishment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. I want to thank John for his service to public health, particularly in the disability and drug support sectors, and to the parliament of New South Wales. Congratulations to all of our Queen's Birthday honours list recipients.

See this speech in context