Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia Day is celebrated in our communities across the nation with a lot of joy, because it is a day where we acknowledge great community members. I would like to go through some of the wonderful achievements and acknowledgements that occurred in my community on Australia Day.

Firstly, we had a number of OAM recipients, including Stan Gilchrist of Lismore, who is Adam Gilchrist's father, for his service to many charities and sporting bodies in our community; Edna Fuller of Casino for services to the community from the Girl Guides to QUOTA and the Casino Hospital auxiliary and many others; Barry Nash of Ballina for services to veterans and their families and to a lot of other community events in Ballina; Sister Anne Gallagher for decades of dedication to the Teaching of Music at McLean Convent; Bob Harbord of the Coutts Crossing, a Vietnam veteran, who is dedicated to helping returned Vietnam veterans. He is also the Coutts Crossing Rural Fire Service senior deputy.

Also there was a special emergency service award to Patricia Crowe who got an award for more than 50 years of service in the SES—what a wonderful achievement that is.

I would just like to go through the five LGA areas and some of the other awards. Richmond Valley Council: Robyn Spruce and Rhonda O'Connell were both given the joint Citizen of the Year; Michael Pontefract, Volunteer of the Year; Todd Johnson, Sportsperson of the Year; and Maddison Morrissey, Young Sportsperson of the Year—what a wonderful tennis player.

Ballina council: Citizen of the Year, Mary O'Brien; and Young Citizen of the Year, Rachel Hughes. There were four Senior Citizens of the Year: Ian Duncan; Mike Rushby; Margaret Ryan; and Wally Mulgrave—they have all done great work. Wally has lost his legs but not his spirit. He is an inspiration to those living with diabetes. Margaret is a tireless worker with Alstonville residents. Mike is a journalist and does a lot for the people of Wardell; and Ian is a motivating force behind the Newrybar Hall renovations. Volunteer of the Year was Robyn Mostyn. Arts and Culture was Karen Rantissi—Karen does a wonderful job at Empire Vale Public School. I have been there and visited her and seen the wonderful work that she does. The Sports Team of the Year were the Ballina Seagulls, the first-grade rugby league team that has won the Northern Rivers Rugby League competition for the last two consecutive years, which was a great effort. Sports administrator was Geoff Jacobs for his work at the Ballina Bears Cricket Club; Young Sportsperson of the Year was Joshua Brown who is a great surf lifesaver and has won many medals. The Community Event of the Year was Skullcandy Oz Grom Open, which is a junior surfing competition and was a great success.

Kyogle Council: Citizen of the Year was Brian Hoffman whose work in the SES has been well noted in that great community. Young Citizen of the Year was Tara Byrne, a former Kyogle High School captain who has since undertaken a volunteer role with children in Cambodia. Lifetime Achievement was Meg Rundle—I spoke to Meg the other day—who is 98-years-old and still doing wonderful work with the Kyogle Writers Group by contributing her memories of almost of 100 years of living in Kyogle. Lifetime Achievement was Sister Monica,

a music teacher for many years who has made a contribution to the local parish when it was without a resident priest. Contribution to Sport over 18 was Simon Tough who works for the local footy club. Contribution to Sport under 18 was Arlo Hook who is a fantastic soccer and futsal player and has recently signed up to a rep side. Contribution to Community Programs and Activities was Christopher Olive of the Kyogle SES for more than 30 years. Contribution to Business was Scarborough's Shoes and Fashion, a great local business in Kyogle. Contribution to Enhancing Children's Participation in Community Life was Peter Fish. Contribution to Creative Industries was Ruth Tsitimbinis, who has done great work with the Community Arts Gallery.

The Clarence Valley Citizen of the Year was Greg Butcher who formed a fantastic orchestra last year. Young Citizen of the Year was Breanna Ryan who is a wonderful young lady. Community achievement was Live Prawn Productions. Local Hero was Esther Smith.

Lismore City Council Citizen of the Year was Dr Austin Curtin, a wonderful man in our region who is also in the Army Reserve. Young Citizen of the Year was Jacob Botha. The Aboriginal Citizen of the Year was Reverend Dorothy Harris-Gordon, Auntie Dorrie as we know her, a wonderful lady. Services to the Community was Margaret Lord. Community Group was U3A. The Senior Sportsperson was Paul Leadbetter. Junior Sportsperson was Samantha McKenna. Sports Team of the Year was the Lismore Storm under-18s. Thank you.

Don Randall (Canning, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I need to explain to the chamber what the procedure will be in agreement that has been put to us by the Clerks—that is, that the adjournment will continue until 11.30 am whereupon it will be truncated and the stay of executions motion will be brought on.