Susan Templeman (Macquarie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm so proud to recognise the 13 recipients of Australia Day honours from Macquarie. Carol Edds and Farah Madon have each become a member of the Order of Australia, an AM. Carol has been recognised for her work in the construction industry and on heritage conservation, including as the founder of the Hawkesbury branch of the National Trust. Architect Farah Madon from Emu Plains, with her approach to supporting dignity, inclusion and independence for all, is recognised for significant service to architecture and to people with a disability.

Eight people from Macquarie have each received a medal of the Order of Australia, an OAM. Ann Caro was on her first day of the school year at Mount Druitt's Chifley College Senior Campus when I rang to congratulate her for services to education. Among other things, she played a key role in establishing Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School at Emu Plains.

Bronwyn Howes is honoured for her service to primary education, including guiding students at Oakville Public School for more than 20 years. Also from the Hawkesbury, Adrian Peter Read is honoured for his service to gymnastics and the community, which included being the director of Gymnastics Australia and serving on the YMCA.

Cathy Gault, who contracted polio as a child but refused to let her wheelchair limit her, is recognised for her extensive disability work, including at the Thorndale Foundation and as a chaplain at Nepean Hospital for 17 years. For his service to conservation and the environment, Dr John Merson receives an OAM. He is a driving force behind the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, and it's been a privilege to work with him. For her many different contributions to outdoor recreation, Caro Ryan has been honoured.

Two OAMs are presented posthumously—one to the late Graham Price, who was deeply involved in the Australian Mushroom Growers Association, Rotary and the Secret Garden and Nursery in Richmond, and one to the late Walter Sutcliffe for services to music as a conductor and organist, including at St Alban's, Leura, and as a founder of the Blackheath Choir Festival.

For his decades of extraordinary service to the New South Wales RFS, Greg Frullani receives the Australian Fire Service Medal. Greg is a real hero of Hazelbrook. An Australian Police Medal was awarded to Detective Superintendent Darren Beeche for decades of operations involving fighting high-profile criminal activity and supporting victims of crime. The Public Service Medal was received by Kathryn Tidd for disability advocacy in the New South Wales public sector, and, in the military division, the Conspicuous Service Medal has been awarded to Flight Lieutenant Scott McNichol for his leadership as the commander of the air task unit for Operation Beech.

Every recipient deserves this recognition, and we thank you for your work.

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