Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards recognise outstanding achievements for businesses and individuals across the Hunter. Whether it's industrial trades, tourism, finances or personal services, it all comes back to our incredible community.

Dr Laxmi Nahar, of Morpeth Family Medical Practice, was awarded Business Woman of the Year. Laxmi and her husband, Dr Amrit Nahar, opened their practice in 2011 and have spent the last 13 years being tirelessly dedicated to their patients and providing excellent medical advice and education. As of today, Laxmi and her husband have more than 6,000 patients on the books and five doctors employed. It's people like Laxmi who make our community strong and connected. She empowers women, our senior citizens, survivors of domestic violence and young people looking for medical advice, often at very sensitive and tender times. She inspires people to be stronger, safer and better aware of their own health. They know that they'll always be heard and understood at Morpeth Family Medical Practice. I'd like to offer a heartfelt congratulations to Dr Nahar. I congratulate her on her reward and thank her for everything she has done.

Alongside Dr Nahar, the Mai-Wel Group, which is an institution in Maitland, was awarded the Not-For-Profit Business of the Year Award for the work that they do with our people with disabilities. They do incredible work. I'm so proud to think that they achieved that. Chisholm based business Get Fit For Life was awarded the Health Services Business of the Year Award. Isn't that a message for us all—to get fit for life? Rutherford's RAS Training and Services won the Trades and Industry Business of the Year Award, which, in such a trade-heavy area, is no mean feat at all. Congratulations, RAS Training.

I'd also like to take a moment to congratulate those in my electorate who received King's birthday honours. They are: Sharon Pope, who lives in Lochinvar, for her outstanding work in urban and regional planning; Ruth Wilson, who is an incredible hot air balloon pilot. At the age of 79, Ruth was flying over the Swiss Alps at 15,000 feet in the night. I can't wait to read her book, Conquering Clouds. Congratulations. Finally, Flight Lieutenant Jack Devine was awarded the outstanding achievement as Staff Officer Grade 3, for his work at headquarters No. 42nd wing. Congratulations to you all.

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