Fiona Phillips (Gilmore, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is a true privilege to receive an Australia Day honour, the pre-eminent award to recognise achievements and service to our community. These awards recognise people in our community who have consistently performed to the highest standards and made major contributions to Australia. Nominated by their peers, these awards celebrate a vast array of services and achievements that matter to us. We're so proud of each and every local person who has this honour bestowed on them, and I'm always delighted to have an opportunity to celebrate these local community champions who make the South Coast so special.

I want to take the time now to congratulate and thank all this year's local recipients for the work they do every day in our communities. The general division of the Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. Professor Deborah Parker AM received a Member of the Order of Australia award for significant service to community health, particularly through palliative and aged-care research. Richard Adams OAM received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Mogo. Valda Brunker OAM received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to netball and to the community.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives

Sitting suspended from 13:07 to 13:30

Lorraine Mairinger OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her unwavering service to the Kangaroo Valley community. Raymond Dorsett OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to hockey and to the community. Michael Fay OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to international relations and to education. Peter Fitze OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community through a range of organisations. The late Mary Kell OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the community through a range of volunteer roles. Peter Moore OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to cricket and sports in New South Wales. Warwick Shanks OAM received the Medal for the Order of Australia for service to the community through a range of organisations. Margaret Sheedy OAM received the Medal for the Order of Australia for service to the community of the Shoalhaven region.

The meritorious awards recognise outstanding and distinguished service by public servants, members of the police force, fire, ambulance, corrections, intelligence or emergency services or in support of outstanding work with an Australian Antarctic expedition. On the South Coast, after so many years of seemingly never-ending natural disasters—not to mention the pandemic—these first responders are the true heroes of the South Coast community. It's a privilege to congratulate and thank Donna Brotherton ACM, who received the Australian Corrections Medal for service to the community of the Shoalhaven region. Chief Inspector Raymond Stynes APM received the Australian Police Medal for his service to the community of the Shoalhaven region.

The South Coast is also extremely proud of our military personnel. Home to HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell, the Defence Force is an incredibly important part of our community. The Order of Australia in the Military Division recognises the exceptional contributions made by individuals in our defence forces. Group Captain Dennis Davison AM received the Member of the Order of Australia in the military division for exceptional service in space capability development for Australia and its allies. Air Commodore Anthony Hindmarsh AM, CSC received the Member of the Order of Australia in the military division for his exceptional service in personnel capability management and organisational sustainment for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Finally, I would like to make special mention of Stanley Berriman from the Sussex Inlet RSL sub branch. I was recently honoured to present Stan with a 2024 national Australia Day achievement award for his exemplary commitment to ex-service veterans and the local community on behalf of the RSL New South Wales through ongoing service excellence as master of ceremonies for the Sussex Inlet RSL sub branch commemoration and presentation ceremonies.

It is such a long and esteemed field. I wish I had the time to celebrate their individual achievements in more detail. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all these amazing community members, and congratulations on this magnificent achievement. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and your impact on our local communities is undeniable. The South Coast is simply a better place for having you as part of our wonderful community. Once again, thank you and congratulations to all our 2024 Order of Australia and Australia Day honours recipients for your dedication and service to the South Coast.

Sitting suspended from 13:33 to 16 : 00

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