Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I recently had the great privilege of attending a last post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to honour Private Dudley Lucas and his brother Private Basil Albert Lucas. The Lucas brothers were from Brogo in the Bega Valley, and in 1941 they answered the call and enlisted in the Army. Incredibly, nine of the 10 Lucas brothers served in the Second World War, often enlisting multiple times until they were accepted for service. Basil and Dudley gave their lives in service, with Dudley's body sadly never being found. Basil died on 25 November 1942 aged just 18, and Dudley was presumed dead on 15 January 1942.

I first heard about the story of the brothers when I was mayor of the Bega Valley. In 2017, I was fortunate enough to work with the Lucas family to have a plaque installed outside the Bega Commemorative Civic Centre. This one family gave so much, and it's important and right that we acknowledge them and honour them. We are eternally grateful for the contribution this family has made, and I thank the Lucas family for letting me join them at the commemoration.

It was a huge day, and a huge congratulations to everyone on Australia Day who received awards across the Eden-Monaro. I was fortunate enough to attend citizenship ceremonies and Australia Day services in Goulburn, Captain's Flat and Queanbeyan to welcome new citizens to the community and to celebrate local award winners. Congratulations to all the Australia Day award winners and nominees. Thank you so much for your commitment and service to our communities. There are a lot of local recipients, so I'm going to table all of these names for the Hansard and for all of our major towns, which are incredibly important.

I also acknowledge and congratulate those who have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, the Public Service Medal, the Australian Fire Service Medal and a range of defence service medals. I am going to table all those names. A quick shout-out to local champion Nikki Ayers, who was the first Paralympic gold medallist from Dalmeny who received an OAM for her service to the sport. Well done to Robyn Reynolds, who received the Australian Fire Service Medal and who has contributed so much to the Pambula Rural Fire Brigade.

I want to give a shout-out to a very special person in our community turning 100 on 1 April this year. Pasha Jacyshyn, with her husband, contributed enormously to the Queanbeyan community. She should be acknowledged for her upcoming milestone, considering the hardships she encountered earlier in her life. Pasha and her husband were taken from Ukraine in their late teens and used as forced labour during World War II in Germany. However, post war they were given the opportunity for a better life. Hence, they came to Australia in 1949 seeking a better future. While they came with nothing, they both worked extremely hard and managed to build their forever home in Queanbeyan. Pasha forged a career in catering and worked at the Queanbeyan hospital and then at the National Library, while her husband was a carpenter and worked here on the construction of this building. Congratulations to Pasha and her family at this special time. It's a privilege to share this story. (Time expired)