Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party, Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges the Order of Australia is the highest national honour awarded to Australian citizens for outstanding contributions to our country or humanity at large;

(2) notes that since being established by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1975, there have been 40,000 recipients of awards in the Order of Australia;

(3) recognises and celebrates the 1,047 Australia Day 2023 awards recipients, including 736 awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia for meritorious, distinguished and conspicuous service;

(4) further acknowledges community members recognised through Australia Day 2023 Local Citizen of the Year Awards; and

(5) congratulates all the recipients of awards on Australia Day 2023.

I would like to acknowledge and thank members of my community who received Australia Day awards in the Clarence Valley. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend these awards. Peter Dougherty was awarded an OAM for his service to the community of the Clarence Valley. Susan Chapple was awarded an Emergency Services Medal for her service to the community of Grafton. Meghanne Wellard was awarded a Public Service Medal for astounding public service in the recovery of the Department of Education's Rural North community following the flood crisis. Citizen of the Year went to Adam Wills for his work in growing Grafton's two theatres and increasing collaboration. He is a great mentor and helps students further their studies. Young Citizen of the Year went to Nicole Cowling for her commitment in helping a number of community organisations, such as helping to organise the Highland Gathering dance section and assisting young women entrants. Peter Martin received the Local Hero Award. Peter devotes many hours to croquet, such as mowing lawns, weeding, organising working bees and such. The 24 Grafton Army Cadet Unit was awarded the Community Achievement Award for helping at many different community events—dragon boat events and the Jacaranda Festival to name a few. Thank you and congratulations to all those winners.

I would like to acknowledge members of my community who received Australia Day awards in the Richmond Valley. The Citizen of the Year award went to Mark O'Toole for his courage and selfless acts during the 2022 flooding natural disaster. He also secured donations for the region and distributed them. Iris Hobbins received the Young Citizen of the Year award. A young member of the Evans Head Casino Surf Club, she is a natural leader and a mentor to other young girls. Teena Redman was Volunteer of the Year for her steadfast commitment to the success of the Evans Head Casino Surf Club. She was secretary, radio officer and so much more. Chantelle Davis was the Young Volunteer of the Year for her commitment to the community in the 2019-20 fires and the 2022 floods, protecting and saving lives. Joseph Mohammed is the Sportsperson of the Year for outstanding performance in rugby union at both club and representative levels over many years with the Casino Bulls Rugby Union Club, and he has coached many teams. Clayton Wilkinson is Young Sportsperson of the Year. He is an incredible role model and an inspiration to others within the Casino swimming club and wider community, and represented St Mary's Catholic College at country, state and national level. Ben West was awarded the Community Service Award for supporting youth in the Richmond Valley for many years, arranging sporting and social activities. Thank you and congratulations to all of those worthy winners.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who were recognised at the Kyogle Australia Day Awards recently. Pamela Campbell was awarded an OAM for service to the community of Kyogle. The Citizen of the Year award went to Lyndelle Saville. She has contributed to various community clubs over many years, and was the first female member and secretary, for five years, of the gun club. The Senior Citizen of Year is Peter Constable, who has served in executive roles in many community organisations, dating back to the 1960s. Junior Sportsperson of the Year went to Brayden Howlett, who has represented Kyogle in junior state and national golf competitions. He's been a caddy kid at the Australian PGA for some of the world's top ranking golf professionals. Senior Student of the Year went to Larni Ingram for being an excellent role model for other students, with an exemplary application to her studies whilst finding time to help in fundraising for community organisations as well. The Young Citizen of the Year went to Oliver McCormick, who was an outstanding role model for students as School Captain at Kyogle High School. Congratulations to all those worthy recipients.

I'd like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who were recognised at the Woodenbong Australia Day Awards recently. Citizen of the Year went to Christine Reid. Christine has been director of the Woodenbong preschool for 40 years. She's been involved with nearly every Woodenbong community organisation since 1982. Sportsperson of the Year went to Lachlan Hannant for competing at a state level in junior rugby league, touch football, junior golf, futsal, athletics, swimming and shooting competitions. Senior Citizen of the Year went to Jim Parker, who is a member and active volunteer in numerous committees. The Young Citizen of the Year went to Maddison Riley, who represented the club at many interclub events. She's also been recognised for her volunteer work at the club. The Business/Service of the Year award went to the Woodenbong Pharmacy for being at the forefront of providing information and advice to minimise the spread of COVID during the pandemic. Congratulations to all those worthy recipients.

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