Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I recognise the Orange Girl Guides, who are celebrating their 100th birthday. I had the honour of attending the Orange Girl Guides centenary celebrations at the Orange Guide Hall recently. Girl Guides offer girls aged five to 17 access to a great variety of activities and the chance to develop skills which last a lifetime while making new friends and having a whole lot of fun. It was terrific to be joined by Senator Jacqui Lambie at this wonderful community celebration. To make it an even more special occasion, we recognised some incredible leaders within the organisation for their outstanding contributions to guiding. Congratulations to Kathryn Anderson on receiving her Banksia Award and to Jessica Keppie on receiving her Boronia Award. Congratulations also go to district manager Yvonne MacRae, known by her guiding name, Possum, and Judy Hansen, who both received Flowering Gum awards for service to guides. All of these awards are very high honours. Patron Shirley Evans cut the 100th birthday cake, and senior guides Siam Elkington, Lily Wright and Akasha-Rei Taylor did outstanding work assisting with the serving of the centenary lunch. I'm sure all members of this House join me in congratulating Possum and everyone who has contributed to the wonderful success of Orange Girl Guides through the generations. As Girl Guides Australia founder, Betty Clay, once said, 'A girl can do anything she sets her mind to.' Here's to another century of empowering young women.

Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Paramedics are on the frontline day in and day out, responding to medical emergencies around our communities. St. John Ambulance (NT) have been taking care of Territorians for over 70 years, always ready to respond. Last night in Darwin, St. John Ambulance (NT) had their annual awards at the NT parliament. I want to congratulate NT paramedic of the year, Tarja 'Taz' Dick—no relation to our great Speaker! Taz is based down in Alice. She's an excellent leader, going above and beyond, and has a remarkable ability to connect with individuals in distress, providing comfort and reassurance during their most challenging moments. I met another fantastic Territorian today: Sharron Stewart, who is here with us today in the gallery. Sharron has been crowned Surf Lifesaver Volunteer of the Year. I thank her for her volunteer work in Darwin and in the Northern Territory more broadly. And I want to thank all of the volunteers. Whether they be ambos or surf lifesavers, volunteers are the mainstay of our nation, and, certainly in the Northern Territory, we really respect them and want them to have the best support possible. Our first responders are dedicated to caring for our country and making sure our Australians and Territorians are safe. Thank you all very much.