Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Compassion, dedication, courage, kindness, stability and service. These words sum up the values embodied by the six Hunter recipients of the Australia Day Honours for 2024. These qualities are what makes Australia special, creating a culture where people help each other and volunteer. Today I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all who have been honoured with distinctions in the Order of Australia, the pinnacle of recognition of our nation's most capable and selfless citizens.

Councillor De-Anne Douglas OAM, a councillor on the Muswellbrook council and the CEO of Wanaruah Land Council, received an OAM for service to her community of Muswellbrook. De-Anne is a tireless worker for her community, having served as vice president at the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce from 2004 to 2018; coordinator of the Muswellbrook Christmas food and toy appeal since 2000, and the founder of the Muswellbrook community carols in 1999. She also worked as a senior manager of the Muswellbrook PCYC for 15 years, was nominated employee of the year in 2007 in 2019, and took out the New South Wales club of the year in 2015. I want to thank De-Anne for her exceptional contribution to the community, for the inspiration she has shown and for the legacy one person can create in a community.

The life of Kylie Facer OAM changed after the birth of her first child, Anika, seven years ago. Anika suffered seizures following her birth and was taken from Newcastle Private to the John Hunter Hospital neonatal intensive care unit, where tests showed she had suffered a stroke. Her parents were told that she had suffered severe brain damage and to basically take her home as there was no rehab or treatment suitable for a child of her age. Fortunately, they were connected to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and that changed their lives, with Anika receiving early intervention and therapies. The complete lack of resources for families like hers prompted Kylie to seek out others in a similar situation, which led her to Dee Banks, whose daughter also suffered a stroke. Together, they founded Little Stroke Warriors in 2017. This organisation links families from across Australia and New Zealand who have babies and children who had strokes to connect with each other and share resources and knowledge. Congratulations to Kylie, who was recognised for her outstanding service to community health with an OAM.

Ellena Morris OAM is known as a living legend in Cessnock. She was awarded an OAM for service to swimming and to people with a disability. She has a list of achievements that is longer than my arm. She has been the head aquatics coach for the Australian Special Olympics team since 2000, the head of delegation since 2004 and a national swimming classifier since 1994. Ellena has been the founding coach and secretary of the Coalfields United Amateur Swimming Club since 1994 and a swim teacher for over 45 years. Thank you, Ellena, for your amazing contribution to our community and for all the kids you have taught, including my girls, Zoe and Asher.

The Hunter produces the world's best wines, and there is no bigger name in the Hunter than John 'Jay' Tulloch OAM. Jay is a third-generation vigneron who has been producing wine since 1962. He has served as a committee member of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association for more than 20 years and has been president for four years. Jay also served as a committee member for the Hunter Valley Wine Show for 22 years and was awarded the living legend award at the Hunter Valley Living Legends and Wine Industry Awards in 2009. He was awarded an OAM for his service to enology. Thank you, Jay, for your dedication to the Hunter and to the wine industry.

The late Dr Annette Pantle OAO was awarded an AM for her service to medical administration to professional organisations. Annette was an inspiring leader instrumental in managing risks to patients and public safety in medical practice. Her career in medical leadership and executive roles spanned many organisations and boards. Congratulations to Annette and her family for this award and for recognition of her incredible career.

The final recipient is Simon Geraghty PSM, who was awarded the Public Service Medal for his 'outstanding public service in the development of technology platforms providing vital services and access to government services'. Simon was integral in establishing the technology platform that supported the centralised child protection hotline. Congratulations to Simon. And congratulations to all of those award winners. We love what you do from the Hunter. Thank you. (Time expired)