Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party, Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges the Order of Australia is the highest national honour awarded to Australian citizens for outstanding contributions to our country or humanity at large;

(2) notes that since being established by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1975, there have been over 40,000 recipients of awards in the Order of Australia;

(3) recognises and celebrates the 1,042 Australia Day 2024 awards recipients, including 739 awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia for meritorious, distinguished and conspicuous service;

(4) further acknowledges community members recognised through Australia Day 2024 Local Citizen of the Year Awards; and

(5) congratulates all the recipients of awards on Australia Day 2024.

Alicia Payne (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the motion seconded?

Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.

Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party, Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who were recognised at the recent Richmond Valley Australia Day awards. Citizen of the Year went to Lillian Colless for her selfless community spirit and energy. Abby Yourell received the Young Citizen of the Year award. She's a great swimmer. The Volunteer of the Year award went to Maree Donaldson for her volunteer broadcasting at Casino's Own Wireless. Elaina Underhill was named Young Volunteer of the Year for her fundraising for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. The Sportsperson of the Year award went to Anthony McAteer for his work for the Casino Cricket Club. Elle Hannigan received Young Sportsperson of the Year for her captain's role at the Casino Cougars rugby club. Thank you and congratulations to all those winners.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community recognised at the recent Clarence Valley Australia Day Awards. Citizen of the Year went to Aneika Kapeen for founding the Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation. Aidan Really received the Young Citizen of the Year award for his fundraising efforts. The Local Hero award was Sally Anne Rogers. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Support Group—Grafton Volunteer Support Group won the Group Community Achievement award. Congratulations to all those award recipients.

I would like to congratulate and acknowledge all the members of my community who were recognised at the Lismore Australia Day Awards. Citizens of the Year went to Mieke Bell for 33 years of running the Lismore soup kitchen. U3A Northern Rivers Lismore received the Group Services in the Community award for their seniors focused classes. Junior Sportsperson of the Year went to Daisy Smith for her success in racing. Ned Cain received the Senior Sportsperson award following his victory at New South Wales Short Course Road Racing State Championships. The Environment award went to Shaen Springall and Douglas Blythe for their involvement in Goonellabah Tucki Creek Landcare Inc. Arts Northern Rivers was the recipient of the Arts and Culture award. The Individual Services in the Community award went to Rod Gibson. Congratulations to all these award recipients.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who were recognised at the Kyogle Australia Day Awards. I was a fortunate enough to be at these awards. The 2024 Kyogle Citizen of the Year went to Stephen Daragh. After spending many decades as a member of the Kyogle Apex Club and Lions Club, Steve continues to serve the community in his retirement. Carol Harris won Senior Citizen of the Year. Junior Sportsperson of the Year went to Jed Mulcahy for his talent across a number of sports. Lillian Rollings was awarded Senior Sportsperson of the Year. Harmon Sing received Senior Student of the Year. Young Citizen of the Year went to Angus Joyce for his accomplishments in volunteering and music. Congratulations to all those award winners.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who received Australia Day awards at Bonalbo. Peter Crockett was awarded Citizen of the Year for efforts in exterminating wild dogs. Liam Galvin received Young Citizen of the Year for his extraordinary help in the 2022 flood. The Achievement in Sports award went to Riley Crimmins for his success in the Australian Off-Road Championship. Tanya Sawarsin and Dianne Harrison from WIRES received the Community Organisation of the Year award. The Dog N' Bull Hotel was named Business of the Year. Yvonne Clay was given a special award posthumously for her work in the community. All of the west of the range RFS brigades, including Old Bonalbo, Bonalbo, Tabulam and Mallanganee, were given a special award for keeping their community safe during the recent bushfires. Congratulations to all those award winners.

I'd like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who received Australia Day awards at the Woodenbong celebration. James Cook was awarded Citizen of the Year for his dedication to volunteering. The Senior Citizen of the Year award went to Jennifer Riley for her commitment to swimming. David Robertson received the Young Citizen of the Year award for his demonstration of excellence in school. The Sportsperson of the Year award was given to Liam Dau for his impressive horse-riding ability. The Woodenbong post office, under Ellen Parker's ownership, received the Business Service of the Year award. The Woodenbong Amateur Swimming Club was named the Community Organisation of the Year. The Environmental Organisation of the Year award went to the Woodenbong Land Managers. Congratulations to all those award winners.

I'd like to acknowledge and congratulate the Ballina Young Citizen of the Year, Lucy Trease. Lucy was Alstonville High's 2023 school captain and was also recognised as a New South Wales Woman of the Year candidate in 2023 for her contributions as a coach, mentor and leader. Congratulations to her.

Alicia Payne (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the motion seconded?

Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.

Fiona Phillips (Gilmore, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a true privilege to receive an Australia Day honour, the pre-eminent award to recognise achievements and service to our community. These awards recognise people in our community who have consistently performed to the highest standards and made major contributions to Australia. Nominated by their peers, these awards celebrate a vast array of services and achievements that matter to us. We're so proud of each and every local person who has this honour bestowed on them, and I'm always delighted to have an opportunity to celebrate these local community champions who make the South Coast so special.

I want to take the time now to congratulate and thank all this year's local recipients for the work they do every day in our communities. The general division of the Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. Professor Deborah Parker AM received a Member of the Order of Australia award for significant service to community health, particularly through palliative and aged-care research. Richard Adams OAM received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Mogo. Valda Brunker OAM received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to netball and to the community.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives

Sitting suspended from 13:07 to 13:30

Lorraine Mairinger OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her unwavering service to the Kangaroo Valley community. Raymond Dorsett OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to hockey and to the community. Michael Fay OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to international relations and to education. Peter Fitze OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community through a range of organisations. The late Mary Kell OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the community through a range of volunteer roles. Peter Moore OAM received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to cricket and sports in New South Wales. Warwick Shanks OAM received the Medal for the Order of Australia for service to the community through a range of organisations. Margaret Sheedy OAM received the Medal for the Order of Australia for service to the community of the Shoalhaven region.

The meritorious awards recognise outstanding and distinguished service by public servants, members of the police force, fire, ambulance, corrections, intelligence or emergency services or in support of outstanding work with an Australian Antarctic expedition. On the South Coast, after so many years of seemingly never-ending natural disasters—not to mention the pandemic—these first responders are the true heroes of the South Coast community. It's a privilege to congratulate and thank Donna Brotherton ACM, who received the Australian Corrections Medal for service to the community of the Shoalhaven region. Chief Inspector Raymond Stynes APM received the Australian Police Medal for his service to the community of the Shoalhaven region.

The South Coast is also extremely proud of our military personnel. Home to HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell, the Defence Force is an incredibly important part of our community. The Order of Australia in the Military Division recognises the exceptional contributions made by individuals in our defence forces. Group Captain Dennis Davison AM received the Member of the Order of Australia in the military division for exceptional service in space capability development for Australia and its allies. Air Commodore Anthony Hindmarsh AM, CSC received the Member of the Order of Australia in the military division for his exceptional service in personnel capability management and organisational sustainment for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Finally, I would like to make special mention of Stanley Berriman from the Sussex Inlet RSL sub branch. I was recently honoured to present Stan with a 2024 national Australia Day achievement award for his exemplary commitment to ex-service veterans and the local community on behalf of the RSL New South Wales through ongoing service excellence as master of ceremonies for the Sussex Inlet RSL sub branch commemoration and presentation ceremonies.

It is such a long and esteemed field. I wish I had the time to celebrate their individual achievements in more detail. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all these amazing community members, and congratulations on this magnificent achievement. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and your impact on our local communities is undeniable. The South Coast is simply a better place for having you as part of our wonderful community. Once again, thank you and congratulations to all our 2024 Order of Australia and Australia Day honours recipients for your dedication and service to the South Coast.

Sitting suspended from 13:33 to 16 : 00