Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's with great pleasure that I rise today to highlight the work of Forde's 2024 Australia Day honours and awards recipients. Two local recipients were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, and congratulations must go to Belinda Adams OAM and Kathleen Neehouse OAM. Belinda received her honour for service to community health. A brain injury advocate, Belinda has been an ambassador for neurological support and research organisations such as Synapse and the Hopkins Centre for over a decade. In 2019, she founded Banging the Drum for Brain Injury, a regional stroke rehabilitation program involving drumming.

Kathleen's service to youth through Girl Guides was recognised with her award. Kathleen has been an integral part of Girl Guides Queensland since she became a state trainer in 1976, and she was recognised with 50 years of adult membership by Girl Guides Australia in 2021. She has supported the growth and development of generations of young Queensland women.

The Australian Fire Service Medal was awarded to local Chambers Flat Rural Fire Brigade volunteer, David Heck. David commenced his firefighting duties in 1993 and has taken on numerous frontline roles across Queensland in his three decades of service.

Congratulations to all three of Forde's incredibly worthy recipients in 2024.