John Murphy (Reid, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I acknowledge the many wonderful Australians in my electorate of Reid who received due recognition at Australia Day celebrations this year. Just as we celebrate the citizenship of people from so many different corners of the globe who have made Australia their home, we celebrate the diversity of talents that make Australia such a wonderful place to live. While we can be proud of the mateship we see displayed in times of hardship and tragedy, there are many Australians who show us that spirit and determination are characteristics we should display every day.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the three constituents who received national recognition for their outstanding service: Mrs Aileen Mary Morris OAM for her service to the Catholic Church and to aged persons; Ms Maureen Houssein-Mustafa OAM for her service to vocational education plus training to the community; and Mr Andrew George McCallum AM for his service to the community in a range of leadership roles in the social justice sector, particularly supporting the welfare of children and their families. These people who received awards for their outstanding community and personal endeavours are a stark reminder that, irrespective of our beginnings or our backgrounds, we can use our talents to make Australia a better place.

At the local Canada Bay Council Australia Day Ceremony, Mayor Angelo Tsirekas presented the Citizen of the Year Award to Mr Joe Di Giacomo of Abbotsford. Mr Di Giacomo has been a community leader for so many years, strengthening and supporting the Italian culture through his active involvement in language classes and events. Mr Di Giacomo is also well known for his involvement with the commissioning of the statue La Famiglia, which is sited in Five Dock and pays tribute to the early migrants and their positive influence on our diverse culture.

Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Ms Chantelle Hayek, a year 12 student at Domremy College, Five Dock, for her work as Environment Prefect. Ms Hayek has initiated a number of exciting environment programs.

Sports Citizen of the Year 2011 is Ms Alyssa Healy, of Breakfast Point, who is a member of the very successful and victorious Australian Women’s Cricket team. Ms Healy was an important member of the team that recently beat England in the Ashes. So well done to Ms Healy. The men’s team would do well to take a few pointers!

Ms Clare Hooper of Drummoyne was awarded the Arts and Culture Citizen of the Year. Ms Hooper was diagnosed with special needs from an early age and has found art the medium to communicate and express her emotions.

Auburn council awarded their Citizen of the Year Award to Mr Bala Belandra. Mr Belandra has been a community volunteer since the early nineties. Mr Belandra is known for his indiscriminate support for all in need, particularly in his role as chair of a consultative committee, representing new and emerging cultures; a member of the Drug Committee Action Group; a member of the Auburn Small Community Organisation Network; and Chair of the Auburn Neighbourhood Community Centre, as well as Chair of Auburn Diversity Services.

Auburn council awarded its Young Citizen of the Year 2011 to Mr Mohamed Taha for his most recent efforts to raise money for a young man suffering from bone cancer. Mr Taha organised an event that attracted over 600 people and raised around $13,000 to assist the family with medical expenses. Mr Taha is also a volunteer at a variety of council, community and spiritual events and is often a member of student leadership forums.

Auburn council’s Community Event Award went to the Celebration of African Cultures Festival. The festival has become a very popular and successful event in Sydney that promotes harmony between diverse African cultures through music, dance, art, craft and fashion.

Father Chris Riley was Auburn Council’s Australia Day Ambassador and is a wonderful community leader, not just through his local efforts but Australia wide. As CEO of Youth Off the Streets, Father Riley oversees the operation of 25 programs, with over 200 employees and more than 600 volunteers. His organisation has become one of the largest youth services in Australia, offering crisis accommodation, residential rehabilitation, clinical services and counselling.

Strathfield council’s Citizen of the Year went to Niall King, who has dedicated much of his time to fundraising with Strathfield Rotary Club. Over his years of fundraising, Mr King has raised more than $250,000 for the Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation for research into the cause of the disease. The Studdy MS Centre in my electorate of Lidcombe was also the recipient of a level, shaded area and garden, coordinated by Mr King.

Strathfield council’s Young Citizen of the Year went to Mr Prashanth Sellathurai, a dual 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist in gymnastics. Mr Sellathurai has helped local schoolchildren learn about a healthy and active lifestyle.

Congratulations to all new Australian citizens who made the pledge on Australia Day and of course a big thankyou to all Australia Day Award recipients for their marvellous contributions. The awards remind each and every one of us that we can make a difference if we choose to put something back into our community.