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) recognises that this year marks the 50th anniversary of Australia's honours system;

(3) notes that since being established by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1975, there have been 47,869 recipients of awards in the Order of Australia;

(4) further recognises and celebrates the 732 Australia Day 2025 award recipients, including 457 awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia for meritorious, distinguished and conspicuous service;

(5) further acknowledges community members recognised through Australia Day 2025 Local Citizen of the Year awards; and

(6) congratulates all the recipients of awards on Australia Day 2025.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who received Australia Day awards in Lismore. The Lismore City Council's award for Citizen of the Year went to Neville Graham—very worthy. The award for individual services in the community went to Tracy Ward, an inspirational member of our community. The award for group services in the community went to Lismore CWA; thank you. The Volunteer of the Year was Len Ward, who has given great service to a number of organisations, especially in basketball. The award for junior female sportsperson went to Caitlyn Halliday; congratulations, Caitlyn. Alex Sipple received the award for junior male sportsperson for his great efforts. The sports group of the year was Lismore Rowing Club, and the arts and culture award was given to Victoria Collignon. The late John Buttrum received an OAM for service to cricket and to the community, and Lieutenant Colonel Susana Fernandez received a Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement during the 2022 floods—and her achievement certainly was outstanding. She helped me personally. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who received Australia Day awards in the Clarence Valley. I had the great pleasure to be there at the Clarence Valley awards ceremony. The Citizen of the Year was Gavin Rayward, the Young Citizen of the Year was Nash Crofton, Jenny Vickery is this year's Local Hero, and the community achievement award went to Warm Touch 2460. Julie Hermansen from Woombah received an OAM for service to community health, particularly through dyslexia support. The Australian Fire Service Medal was awarded to Scott Campbell and Garry Reardon for their contributions. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who received Australia Day Awards in the Richmond Valley. Neil Burnett was named Richmond Valley Citizen of the Year, the Young Citizen of the Year was Ruby Beckenham, the Young Sportsperson of the Year was Travis Dhu, the award for Young Volunteer of the Year went to Shae Fuller, Steve Humphrys was named Volunteer of the Year, and the award for Sportsperson of the Year went to Scott Lambeth. Congratulations to all these nominees and winners.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate people who received Australia Day Awards across the Kyogle Council area. In Kyogle, the Citizen of the Year was Dale Oxtoby, the Senior Citizen of the Year was Patricia Vidler, Tennille Owen was named the Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Maureen Welsh was named Senior Sportsperson of the Year, the Junior Student of the Year was Jocelyn Blackburn, and the Senior Student of the Year was Angus Joyce. Roslyn Knights received an OAM for her service to the community of Kyogle. In Woodenbong, the Citizen of the Year was Wendy Fletcher, the Senior Citizen of the Year was Lynette Downham, and the Sportsperson of the Year was Elke Johnston. The Community Organisation of the Year was the Woodenbong Golf Club and the Business of the Year was McMillan Steel Fabrication. In Bonalbo, the Citizen of the Year was John Johnston, James McCullagh was recognised for achievement in sport, the award for Business of the Year went to Michael and Vicki at the Bonalbo Caravan Park, and Jayden Creighton received the award for achievement in creative arts. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate two people in my electorate who received Australia Day awards in the Coffs Harbour City Council area. The Young Citizen of the Year was Nathan Armstrong, and the Aussie Spirit Award went to Scott Cordwell. Congratulations to both of them.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate people who received Australia Day awards in the Ballina Shire Council area in my electorate. The Volunteer of the Year award went to Diane Parker, the arts and culture award was given to Mariah Cavnaugh-Roberts, and the Young Citizen of the Year was Lachlan Trease. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.

Debate interrupted.

Sitting suspended from 13:30 to 16:00