Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

In the second week of October I hopped on my pushbike for my fifth annual Tour de Fisher. Each year I cycle the length and breadth of the Fisher electorate holding listening posts in local parks and cafes. This year, I think, was the biggest yet, with 23 listening posts in 23 towns over 4½ days. It began with a launch in chaotic weather from Kings Beach, which almost blew us away. I held a listening post in Beerburrum's new cafe, Cafe Phillies, and I was treated to an impromptu question time at Montville State School. I called on Labor to come to the table on Sunshine Coast rail from Beerwah station, and I visited businesses right across Fisher, from Sippy Downs to Golden Beach. Each time I'm reminded that we really do live in the greatest place on earth, the Sunshine Coast, and it's largely thanks to the people who call it home.

Only a week later I joined leaders and volunteers from across the Sunshine Coast for the annual Fisher Community Awards. I want to send out my gratitude and enormous thanks and praise to Kim McCosker, our MC; to Priscilla and the Caloundra Power Boat Club; and to Brenda at Brenco Trophies for their support. Each year, we honour those unsung, fantastic people in Fisher. I'm not going to say that phrase 'unsung heroes', because I think that is totally overdone, but it's those amazing people, who often go without recognition, that make Fisher the place to be for education, employment and retirement.

While I spoke about students of the year yesterday, I want to acknowledge a few more of the award winners from the Fisher awards night. We had the Fisher Educator of the Year, Mr Murray Finch, who, after 40 years, continues to teach at Caloundra State High School. Forty years, Deputy Speaker Freelander—can you imagine being a paediatrician for 40 years? You probably can, actually!

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