Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia recognises our citizens for the hard work and contributions they make to develop and foster a prosperous, growing community for the betterment of all who call Australia home. Our honours and awards system recognises the merit of outstanding service and contributions of Australians. Recipients come from far and wide, right across our great nation, from all walks of life and from different circumstances to inspire and make positive change for future generations. While some are well known for their contributions, the majority are unsung heroes, who make an impact in their own communities, unobserved by the public eye but recognised by those who nominate them for their service and contribution to our great country.

Typically our country's heroes don't seek thanks or applause. They deserve both. The honours and awards system gives the nation a chance to celebrate and acknowledge those who work tirelessly to improve local communities and to make Australia a better place. I congratulate and pay homage to the citizens of Moncrieff who this year received such an honour.

Chelsea Hodges OAM began swimming as a six-years-old in Biloela in Queensland. She's now a Gold Coaster, an Olympic gold medallist and an inspiration to young women across the nation. Chelsea represented Australia for the first time at the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Indiana in 2017, and since then her determination and dedication to sport have propelled her to the highest of all heights. Thank you, Chelsea, for your service to sport and representing Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and for bringing home more gold to the coast.

Dr Stephen Godfrey OAM is president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, a national RANZCO examiner and a visiting medical officer at Gold Coast University Hospital, training and supervising registrars. Dr Godfrey is a general ophthalmologist treating all eye conditions. He is committed to the outreach eye surgery program in remote North Queensland. Dr Godfrey operates at Pacific Private Day Hospital in Southport, John Flynn Private Hospital in Tugun and Gold Coast University Hospital. Thank you, Dr Godfrey, for your service to medicine as an ophthalmologist.

Nick Marshall OAM is not only a recipient of one of Australia's highest honours but also the recipient of the 2020 Australian of the Year—Local Hero. He's my local hero, at Nobbys Surf Club. Nick's contributed greatly through his dedication to surf lifesaving to ensure our beaches are safe for locals. Thank you, Nick, for your dedication.

Captain Dennis Magennis was awarded an OAM in the Military Division for meritorious service as the manager of the Australian Army Military Museum and as a regimental sergeant major of the Australian Army. I would also like to congratulate Roger Emmerson OAM for his dedication to the community.