Mary Doyle (Aston, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the end of another school year approaches, I've had the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of so many fantastic students from across the electorate of Aston. This has been done through the presentation of the inaugural Tilly Aston Achievement Award. The award commemorates Matilda Ann 'Tilly' Aston, the woman after whom the federal electorate of Aston is named. Tilly Aston was a blind writer, teacher, author and poet and one of Australia's earliest disability activists. Among other feats, she fought hard for the rights of vision impaired people to be able to vote. The award is to recognise outstanding students who demonstrate a commitment to strive for social justice, actively participate in the community and have displayed courage to pursue change. Congratulations to all the winners of the inaugural 2024 Tilly Aston Achievement Award.

As Christmas and New Year approach, I would like to take this time to wish my constituents of Aston all the very best. I hope it is full of love and joy and that you have a safe and happy time, however you celebrate. For me, I take time to be thankful for my own loved ones and remember those family members and close friends who I have lost. I'm also reminded of the very great privilege of being the member for Aston and of serving the good hearted and generous people in this incredible community and the work they do for those who are less fortunate. Through my position as a federal member, I get to see some of the incredible work that those charity organisations and religious groups do throughout the year, and I want to pay my respects to them. Thank you.