Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Jess Plumsted has made history as Newcastle's first permanent female ferry master at the helm of the very ferry she once caught to school every day from Stockton. Jess followed her passion for the water from an early age. Starting as a deck hand at just 18, she worked her way up through the industry, before returning home to captain the Stockton ferry. Jess is breaking barriers in an industry that has long been male dominated, proving that opportunities on the water aren't just for blokes. She's not only steering a ferry; she's steering change, inspiring young women to follow careers they may never have considered. To Jess, thank you for showing everyone what is possible. Newcastle is very proud of you.

I'd also like to give a shout-out to the University of Newcastle for their success at the Australian Financial Review higher education awards. These prestigious awards recognise the very best in higher education across the nation. The University of Newcastle claimed two of the eight categories, standing tall among 43 universities from across Australia. The Wollotuka Institute received the equity and access award for a decades-long commitment to Indigenous education. From humble beginnings in the 1980s with just four staff, Wollotuka now proudly serves a student body where five per cent identify as First Nations students. Wollotuka is a home away from home for so many, and its success is testament to the university's deep commitment to equity and excellence in higher education. The emerging leadership award went to Professor Matt Dun, one of Australia's leading brain cancer researchers. Matt's story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. After losing his two-year-old daughter, Josephine, to the most aggressive form of brain cancer, Matt pivoted his research from leukaemia to paediatric brain cancer. He has since led ground-breaking clinical trials to give children and families hope where there was none. To everyone at the University of Newcastle, our community thanks you for your exceptional work.

I'd like to finish on a sad note but pay tribute to a very dear friend and much-loved member of our community, Neal Pitt. Sadly, this week, Newcastle Labor and the community of Carrington lost a true believer. Neil's warmth, loyalty and profound love for his community in Carrington will never be forgotten. He was a character, a stalwart of the Labor Party and someone who always stood ready to help, no matter what. He supported me on every one of my election campaigns, and I was so very fortunate to spend time with Neil on Carrington booths at this last election—an opportunity for which I'm so grateful. His good humour, his generosity and his steadfast belief in community and the strength of community shone through in everything he did.

Neil was deeply community minded. Every morning, he walked down to the local shops, stopping off to each household along the way, dropping off items that were needed, checking in to make sure people were alright, asking: 'Do you need a lift to the hospital? Have you got your medications?' That was Neil. He gave so much of himself, even assisting in the aged-care homes, offering a listening ear and making sure that nobody was left aside or alone.

Neil's passing is a great loss to all who knew him. We will remember him for his kindness, his service and his unwavering commitment to his community and to the Labor movement. My deepest condolences go to Neil's family and friends. To the Carrington community, who I know will be in deep mourning, he will be greatly missed, but his legacy will never be forgotten. Vale Neil Pitt.

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