Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

People in my community of Lindsay love Australia Day. They celebrate it. We have a great time making sure that we acknowledge our neighbours and celebrate loving our country. Part of that is, of course, celebrating the Australians that are on the Australia Day Honours List. It is really wonderful that this year there were two Lindsay locals who received the Medal of the Order of Australia. This is a deeply respected national honour that recognises, as we know, Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to their communities. Being awarded the OAM is a significant tribute, reflecting values Australians hold dear: service, generosity and making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. The award highlights and acknowledges selflessness and a deep commitment to our community.

Michael Allen, a respected resident of Regentville, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of his outstanding service to the community through a lifetime of voluntary and charitable work. Michael has dedicated most of his life to helping others and ensuring there is support available to our most vulnerable. Currently, he is the chair of our local community housing provider, Link Wentworth, an organisation I worked for prior to entering politics. He also spent many years serving on boards and committees, working in our community on literacy at a foundation for people that have a disability and working with some of our Aboriginal communities across the electorate. Most notably, Michael was a handyman at The Haven, which is a local charity that provides crisis accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence.

John Lackey was also one of the incredible Lindsay locals to receive this prestigious award. He was recognised for his service to the community of Penrith, including his longstanding involvement with local arts and cultural organisations. Formerly, he was the director of Penrith Performing and Visual Arts, from 2006 to 2022 and the director and treasurer of Penrith Regional Gallery. His work has helped strengthen Penrith's cultural landscape by ensuring arts experiences are accessible and vibrant.

This award is an acknowledgement from the entire nation that the service of these two individuals this year is noticed and it matters. On behalf of the Lindsay community, I wish to offer our sincere appreciation and congratulations. Thank you both for your years of service, volunteer work, countless hours of dedication and unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of the Lindsay community. Your achievements are a source of inspiration to many across our community, and we are profoundly grateful for the lasting impact you've made.

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