Sally Sitou (Reid, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Tonight I want to acknowledge the incredible people who make our community so wonderful. On Australia Day, Peter Gainsford, general manager of the Inner West Council, was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to local government. Prior to his appointment to the Inner West Council, Peter was the general manager of the City of Canada Bay, another council in my electorate. He is also a long-time resident in the community, so he has deep and extensive roots in my electorate. Peter has had a 40-year career in local government and exemplifies the career possibilities in this sector, rising from his first role as a carpenter's apprentice to general manager. As general manager, he has championed transformative change in the Inner West.

In recognition of his and the council staff's achievements, the Inner West Council was awarded the AR Bluett Memorial Award in 2023 for the most outstanding council in New South Wales. Some of the achievements of the Inner West Council under Peter's leadership include redeveloping Ashfield Aquatic Centre, introducing food recycling for every home, rolling out the biggest electric vehicle charging infrastructure anywhere in Australia and, later this year, completing the Cooks River to Iron Cove GreenWay. Thank you and congratulations, Peter, for your decades of service in the community.

I would like to recognise and welcome home the Briars women's rugby team, who had the honour of travelling to Japan in January to compete in the prestigious Nanairo Cup. It was the trip of a lifetime, and the players covered the cost of the trip themselves through fundraising. I visited their training session before they left to wish them well and was so impressed by their commitment to their club and their sport. The team included many international debutantes on their first overseas tour. They made it to the finals and played well, winning their first game 45-5 and their second game 38-10 and placing eighth overall.

Congratulations to the president of Briars women's rugby, David Lannan; all the coaches; volunteers; and players. A huge congratulations to women's player Ameena Kanj, who has also been selected to play in the Lebanon 7s national team. She'll be Briars women's rugby team's first international cap. A big thank you to coach Kruger Roache, who joined the club 12 months ago and elevated the quality and experience of the team. To everyone at Briars women's rugby: you've made us all very proud.

I would like to recognise and thank Communities for Communities in Canada Bay. They've had a wonderful summer of activities, including their annual Christmas carols. This volunteer-run charity began with a conversation between friends at the Drummoyne swimming pool. Since its inception in 2002, the charity has worked to create lasting partnerships between our community and communities around Sydney, around Australia and around the world. Through Christmas carols, Drummoyne fun days, the Gravy Day Apron Fundraiser, their gala dinners and other events, Communities for Communities demonstrate how to think globally and act locally.

This incredible organisation has engaged 1,800 volunteers; organised over 150 events; raised more than $3 million; built 920 houses across Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea; and supported 2,400 families. Locally, they have supported the fabulous Lucas Gardens School in Five Dock since 2003, raising money for physiotherapy, classroom technology, the all-ability school bus, incursions to the school and the all abilities playground.

They have engaged in regional partnerships, working with the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council to empower Indigenous youth, and are raising money to support Australians affected by floods in Queensland and bushfires. To President Lance Brooks, Vice-President Hannah Rayment and every volunteer: thank you so much for your time, generosity and commitment.