Trent Zimmerman (North Sydney, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Each Australia Day, communities in my electorate gather to celebrate all that makes us such a wonderful nation. At the centre of those celebrations are the citizenship ceremonies arranged by our local councils. It is a reminder of how successful we are as a multicultural nation to see people of every nationality, race and religion come together and take the pledge of loyalty to Australia and all that we as Australians stand for. Australia Day is also an opportunity for our local councils to recognise those residents who have made an outstanding contribution to their community. I want to congratulate those who were honoured this year.

In Hunters Hill the Citizen of the Year was awarded to Andrew Curtin for the volunteer work he has done to support our local schools and the broader community. The Young Citizen of the Year is Patrick O'Farrell; the Sportsperson of the Year is Nicholas Wilkinson; and the Community Project of the Year was the Heritage Walks Guide produced by the Hunters Hill Historical Society, under their President Tony Saunders.

In Willoughby, Citizen of the Year was shared by two outstanding residents, Janet France and Grant Sheldon. The Cultural and Community Award recognised community leader, the Venerable Ru Yi and her team at the IBAA Buddhist temple in Chatswood.

In North Sydney, the Citizen of the Year was awarded to Bryce Gunn for all his work in supporting the community at Greenway in Milsons Point, the Young Citizen of the Year is Alice Zhang and the Community Group of the Year is Community Connect Transport Services.

I congratulate these worthy winners and thank them for their work. They inspire others to follow in their footsteps.