Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ken Allen is an outstanding Australian citizen and member of the Mackellar community. Ken Allen, a resident of Whale Beach, is a remarkable community member who is focused on bringing people together. In 2001, Ken received a call from former Prime Minister John Howard to pack up his life and move to New York to take up the role as Australia's consul-general. Ken and his wife, Jill, arrived in New York just two weeks before September 11 2001. Jill recalls that she did not see Ken for four days straight as he went over and above in his new role to ensure that every Australian was accounted for.

Ken witnessed the lack of community for Australians living in New York. This sparked Ken to bring together a global village and to unite Australians all over the world. In 2006, at the end of his time as consul-general, Ken formed Advance, an initiative supported by the Australian government. Advance is an organisation that brings Australians all over the world together. Advance represents the largest network of global Australians.

Ken will be 80 next year, but it has not slowed him down. Ken is a fierce advocate for the local community, actively involved in holding the council to account to ensure they deliver what the community needs. I congratulate Ken on all his wonderful work and the impact he has had in bringing Australians together.