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

I want to give a special shout-out to a number of people across the mighty Eden-Monaro who were awarded medallions and awards during the Australia Day honours. Congratulations to Gail Eastaway of Cooma, who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2024 Honours List. Gail has had a really impressive 50-year career in journalism, starting as a cadet with the Cooma Express newspaper and covering most aspects across the Snowy Monaro, from fatal accidents to helping fight to keep Snowy Hydro in public hands. Her OAM also recognises her almost 50-year involvement with the Cooma Show and the amazing work she does for the Cooma races.

Robert Johnson's Medal of the Order of Australia was awarded for service to the Bermagui community. He is a Red Cross Lifeblood blood and plasma donor, and he drives to Canberra, which is a three-hour trip, once a fortnight to make his donation. He's raised funds through the New South Wales container deposit scheme for the Bermagui surf club by rescuing thousands upon thousands of bottles from local businesses and homes. The award also recognises his efforts with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, particularly during the Black Summer.

Ben Maguire AM and Marina Maguire OAM run the amazing Remount facility in this electorate as well. I went out there, and spoke about them in this chamber not long ago. The work that they do with the veterans and first responders community is nothing short of amazing.

The Medal of the Order of Australia went to Michele Bootes of Merimbula for her services to surf lifesaving. She created the Same Wave project, which is a Nippers project especially designed for people with disabilities. It's celebrating its 25th year this year and has rolled out to other surf lifesaving communities across the country. On the day she found out, she was actually volunteering at the beach as well.

I want to give a special shout-out to the other members, whom I have contacted personally: Isaac Cotter, Colin Dunn, Ronald Miller, Paul Jones and Katherine Laidler. Public Service medals were awarded to Natalie Cooper, Rodney Dix and Emma Gowling. Conspicuous Service medals were awarded to Wing Commander Denis French, Warrant Officer Class One Megan Griffiths, Colonel Alison Kaine and Squadron Leader Melissa Vreugdenburg. The Medal of the Order of Australia was awarded to Darrell Hegarty, Professor Allen-John Collins and Catherine Walker. Thank you so much for the work you do in our communities. It is nothing short of amazing.

Finally, I want to say that the show season is well and truly underway. Thank you to the volunteers who put on amazing shows right across the mighty Eden-Monaro. Also, a big congratulations to the Zone 3 Young Women finalists, who are off to represent our region at the Royal Easter Show, with Sophie Heffernan representing Candelo and Emily Rowson representing Cooma. Good luck, girls.

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