Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Over the parliamentary recess, I was pleased to host the annual Deakin Community Awards. These awards are something that I really enjoy being part of. They provide a fantastic opportunity for the tireless volunteers and community groups in Deakin to come together and recognise some of our local unsung heroes. This year, around 100 award winners were selected for the Deakin Community Awards. In addition to this, an independent committee selected a list of five finalists, who went into the running to receive the overall Deakin Community Award. These finalists represent the absolute cream of the crop. They include Gus Puopolo, Kevin Poile, Ray Freeman, Liz Coles, and John and Jenny Fearn-Wannan, who were all honoured on the night.

In the end, there could only be one overall winner. This year the committee decided upon an outstanding person, Ray Freeman, as the overall Deakin Community Award winner. As a tireless volunteer over many years, Ray has been involved with Whitehorse Community Chest, Eastern Emergency Relief, the Lions Club of Nunawading and the Ringwood Cricket Club. I was absolutely honoured to recognise this tireless service.

I want to thank Aquinas College for hosting the evening, with over 400 guests, in particular the college's students for providing entertainment and a wonderful rendition of the national anthem. I also want to thank Mary-Anne Lowe for catering the event. Most importantly, I want to thank the Deakin community for getting behind these awards and all of our Deakin community award winners.