James Stevens (Sturt, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge my constituents who were recognised in the recent Queen's Birthday honours announcement of the Order of Australia, in particular: two Officers of the Order of Australia, Professor Isabella McMillen and Professor Graham Moseley; those appointed members of the Order of Australia, Mr Charles Morland Bailes, Dr Gabrielle Cehic, Dr Jackie Craig, Mrs Kathryn House, Dr Sara Jones, Ms Kris Lloyd, Ms Elizabeth Perry, Mrs Joan Stone; recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia, Sister Kate Conley, Mrs Maria Donato, Mr Manfred Heide and Mr Graeme Litster; and also Sergeant Dale MacAskill, who was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal. I am very proud, as we all are, to see our constituents acknowledged for the excellent work that they do serving our communities in such a wide variety of ways.

It has been a great honour, since becoming a member of parliament, to be able to meet so many people in the community and to write to those who are acknowledged each time we are informed of the honours bestowed upon them, particularly through the Order of Australia. One of the great things about this country is the service that people provide selflessly. The volunteerism is such an inherent part of the culture of being an Australian. I'm so proud to represent a part of the country which, I might suggest, has a particularly high standard of service to our community. I congratulate again all those acknowledged at the recent Queen's Birthday honours.