Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

For many people, getting older means winding down and having a quieter life. This is definitely not the case for 97-year-old Lorna Allen. Lorna lives in her own self-care unit. Her week revolves around volunteering for 25 to 30 hours at the Caroona Jarman Nursing Home. She has been volunteering at Caroona for nearly 50 years. Lorna helps the residents get ready for outings, with bus trips and with their shopping. There has been many a time when Lorna has just sat with a resident in their time of sickness or need so they are not alone. She also helps with cooking for special functions as well as with their annual fete and their fortnightly happy-hour functions. There is good news, too. As a volunteer, Lorna, even though she is 97, had to undergo a police check to volunteer at the home. She passed, which was great news. Lorna, thank you.

The cricket season is well underway and there are many local players who are representing our region at an elite level. I would like to congratulate them all. Olivia Osborne, who attends St Johns College at Woodlawn, was named in the country under-15s squad. Grace Parsons, who is at Trinity Catholic College, was named in the under-15s metro team. Both girls will attend the Under-15s national championships in Canberra in January next year. Amy Riddell, who attends Grafton High, was named in the under-18s country team. Carly Leeson from Maclean High was named in the under-18s metro team. Carly and Amy will both attend the under-18s national championships in November in Hobart. Two local boys, Jack Cooper, who also attends Woodlawn, and Kaleb Auld, from Trinity Catholic College, were selected in the state under-17s squad. They will play in Queensland later this month. Congratulations go to all those cricketers.

The Northern Rivers Business Awards were held last month. These awards recognise excellence across the Northern Rivers. I would like to congratulate Alstonville Meats, who won the retail category. Owner Ashley Thompson and his team, Bruce Hall, Lachlan Thompson and Thomas Brown, do a great job at this local butcher. Congratulations also go to Kirsty Christensen from the Fresh Dental Care team in Grafton, who took out the young business executive award. Congratulation also go to Mareeba Aged Care in Maclean, who were the winners in the aged care and wellbeing category. Well done to Rachel Bennett, the Director of Nursing, and her deputy, Marie Connell, who do a fantastic job overseeing the care of 118 residents. Lastly, congratulations go to the Casino RSM Club, who took out the excellence in business award. Well done to all the staff at this great community club. All these business will now all go on to represent the Northern Rivers region in the NSW Business Chamber State Awards in November, and I would like to wish these wonderful local businesses all the very best at this event.

See this speech in context