Andrew Gee (Calare, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia Day saw many community members, both past and present, recognised for outstanding dedication and commitment to their local communities. Calare boasts some truly outstanding Australians, and it was a great privilege to participate in Australia Day celebrations across the electorate, including at Eglinton, Oberon and Yeoval. Around Calare, a total of six Medals of the Order of Australia and one Member of the Order of Australia were awarded.

Mrs Jan Richards of Orange was presented with the Member (AM) in the General Division, for her dedication and service to library and information management across not only the Central West but also New South Wales. Mrs Stephanie Camplin of Bathurst was the recipient of a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for her service to the broadcasting industry. Stephanie is also a founder of the Macquarie Philharmonia, a travelling orchestra of 70 professional musicians who perform right across the Central West each year, and was also named a Living Legend of Bathurst in 2015. Both Stephanie and her husband, Ron, are in the House tonight. We congratulate Stephanie and Ron, and of course 2BS Gold. We are honoured to have you in our presence. Mr Garry Connelly of Mudgee was also awarded an OAM for his service to the local community, primarily as a member of the NSW Rural Fire Service since 1978. Mr Leonard Graff received an OAM for his dedication to the Western Region Academy of Sport and service to the community of Bathurst in general. Bruce and Gloria Adams both received an OAM for their extensive involvement and leadership in the mighty Cabonne communities, and Rosemary Harris received an OAM for her dedication to improving health services in Oberon as chair of the Health Council and president of the Oberon United Hospital Auxiliary for over 12 years.

Around the electorate, a number of constituents were awarded Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year, and I pay tribute to those individuals tonight. Orange City Council awarded Barbara Bloomfield Citizen of the Year for her service to aged care, while James Cashen received Young Citizen of the Year in recognition of his work in performing arts at Orange High School. Mid-Western's Citizen of the Year was Craig Parsons, a local paramedic involved in the rugby league club who voluntarily teaches first aid and is a member of the Rural Fire Service. The Young Citizen of the Year award went to Reece Oldfield. The Deputy Mayor of Bathurst, Graeme Hanger, was awarded Citizen of the Year for the Bathurst region, while Stephen Chapman received Young Citizen of the Year for his community work, including raising money for a school in the Solomon Islands. In Lithgow, Tim Le Fevre was announced as Citizen of the Year in recognition of his work towards social justice, while Isaac Trounce and Christopher Seymour were jointly awarded Young Citizen of the Year for their contribution to music in the Lithgow community. Over in Wellington, Citizen of the Year went to Marion Pool, a volunteer, nurse and chaplain who is deeply involved with her local community, while Junior Citizen of the Year was awarded to Rachael Melhuish. Wellington also awarded The Reverend Ross Murray Godfrey OAM as Senior Citizen of the Year.

Oberon's Citizen of the Year went to Keith Sutcliffe, and Young Citizen of the Year was Angus Fittler: well done to them both! In Borenore/Nashdale, Citizen of the Year was Toni McCauley: well done, Toni. Canowindra's Citizen of the Year was Darryl Fliedner and Young Citizen of the Year was Brooke Kinsela. Cargo honoured Robyn Price for her dedication to the local school P&C committee, and Rhys Maere as the Young Citizen. In Cudal, Warren Upton was the Citizen of the Year, due to his many voluntary engagements with the community, and Sarah Cohen was the Young Citizen of the Year for her efforts in volunteering. The Cumnock Citizen of the Year was Shirley Downey and Young Citizen was awarded to Skye Weston—I know Skye's mum and dad, David and Christine, are very proud of Skye. Tony Toohey and Trent Tulloch were Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year, respectively, in Eugowra. The Manildra Citizen of the Year went to Ethelwyn Townsend, while James Troth was Citizen of the Year in Molong. Mullion Creek's Citizen of the Year was Lisa Brisbane. I attended the Yeoval Australia Day ceremony which, fittingly, was held at the Yeoval public pool—you can't get more Aussie than that, Mr Speaker!—where Rex Morris was awarded the Citizen of the Year, and Young Citizen of the Year went to Madaline Harvey. The community group of the year was awarded to The Yeoval Satellite Weekly, a fine community publication.

I would like to congratulate all of the community members of Calare who were recognised during Australian Day ceremonies this year for their wonderful contributions to building our fine country communities. This House congratulates you and honours you, and we are very proud of you all.