Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to acknowledge the 15 Order of Australia recipients from the electorate of Berowra. Former RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons is a hero to so many people. He was honoured with an Officer of the Order of Australia for his work in leading the RFS during the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, when six per cent of New South Wales or around 5½ million hectares of land was burnt. His leadership brought calm at time of great crisis. Justice Gary Watts has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. Justice Watts was one of the leading practitioners of family law in Australia before his appointment to the Family Court in 2005, and since 2018 he's served on the appeals division of the Family Court.

Group Captain James Badgery was made a Member of the Order of Australia for exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in aerospace capability development. Mr Kazi Ali, who's dedicated his life to serving the Muslim community in managing death and burial issues, was also recognised for his service to the Islamic community with a Medal of the Order. Another OAM recipient is Lorna Clayton, a resident of the Living Choice retirement village in Glenhaven. Just after settling into her new home, Lorna set up a writing group. Lorna did a letterbox drop in the village and asked people if they were interested. She managed to get a handful of people involved to give talks about things they'd written. The writing group still meets once a month and has spawned the retirement village's annual writers festival.

Kay De Luca and her late husband, Tony, were also honoured for their service to motoring clubs. Mrs De Luca served as the treasurer and a committee member of the Council of Motor Clubs for 12 years and was also secretary-treasurer of the BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group, which was founded by her husband. Also honoured with an OAM was Beverley Garside who was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases in the mid 1980s. Following an operation, Beverley put her hand up for the Thyroid Foundation's committee nominations and was soon appointed president in 1999. Beverley also raises awareness in the community about thyroid disorders and how people can best detect symptoms and changes to their thyroid.

The late Lionel Smith was recognised for his services to firefighting. Lionel was a long-serving fire control officer in the Hills district and gave over 75 years of service to New South Wales firefighting organisations, with his first firefighting experience at age 15. Other OAM recipient include: Bastiaan van Dongen, from Cherrybrook, for his service to the Dutch community; Professor Elizabeth McCusker, for her service to medicine as a neurologist, particularly in the field of Huntington's disease; Mr Bruce Wood, of Thornleigh, for his long service to cricket in our district; and Ms Susan Day, from Cheltenham, for her service to the community through a range of organisations, especially in the Beecroft community.

Margaret Skewes was awarded a Public Service Medal for a long and very successful career in the New South Wales public service. Peter Jacobs was awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal for his outstanding work over 36 years in the RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW.

I want to congratulate all the recipients and encourage people in our electorate to nominate people for the Order of Australia. It's a wonderful way to recognise Australians of all walks of life for their achievements in the hard work that they do for our community.