Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges:

(a) the Order of Australia is the highest national honour awarded to Australian citizens for outstanding contributions to our country or humanity at large; and

(b) community members recognised through Australia Day 2026 Local Citizen of the Year awards; and

(2) congratulates all the recipients of awards on Australia Day 2026.

I acknowledge and thank and congratulate members of my community who received Australia Day Awards recently in Lismore. Citizen of the year was awarded to Rebekka Battista—congratulations, Bek. Young Citizen of the Year was Charlie Murray. The Service to the Community award went to Bruce Sheaffe. The Service to the Community (Group) award went to Rainbow Roos. Junior Sportsperson was Cooper Williams. The Sportsperson of the Year was Connor McCarthy—congratulations, Connor. Sports Team of the Year went to the wonderful Marist Brothers Rugby League Football Club. The Environment Award went to Ina Engermann. The Arts and Culture award went to Jacklyn Wagner. The Economic Excellence Award went to Felicity Hyde. The Academic Excellence Award was given to Chris Ingall. Michael Berry received an OAM for service to the community of Dunoon, and Geoffrey Plante received an OAM for service to town planning. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees in Lismore.

I acknowledge and congratulate all members of my community who received Australia Day Awards recently in the Clarence Valley. Citizen of the Year was Allan Woods, Young Citizen of the Year was Reny Dooley, and the Local Hero was Haley Hodgson. The Community Achievement (Group) Award went to the Cane Harvest Festival Committee—wasn't that a great event! It's great to see that back. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees in the Clarence Valley.

I acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who received Australia Day Awards recently in the Richmond Valley. Helen Cowan was named Richmond Valley Citizen of the Year. The Young Citizen of the Year went to Connor Shepherd. The Volunteer of the Year was Phil Cornish. The Young Volunteer of the Year was Isabel de Wit. The Sportsperson of the Year was Tony Curtis. The Young Sportsperson of the Year was Crystal Gill. The Community Organisation of the Year was Frangipani Care. Frederick Teudt received the Australian Fire Service Medal. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees from the Richmond Valley area.

I acknowledge and congratulate members of my electorate who received Australia Day Awards in the Ballina Shire Council area. Senior Citizen of the Year was Kenneth Brown. Volunteer of the Year was John Smith for the Marine Rescue Ballina, where he helps out. The Arts and Culture Award went to Jim Hawkins and the Community Event of the Year went to the North Coast Show and Shire, a wonderful event. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees from the Ballina Shire Council area.

I acknowledge and congratulate all members in my community who received Australia Day Awards in the Coffs Harbour City Council area. Citizen of the Year was Keelan Birch. The Young Citizen of the year was Mayada Oso. The Senior Citizen of the Year was Lorraine Kaempfel and the Aussie Spirit Award was awarded to the Lifehouse Care Pantries. The Aussie Spirit Award was also awarded to David Cole. Catherine Yeomans received an OAM for service to the community through a range of organisations. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees from the Coffs Harbour area.

I acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who received Australia Day Awards in the Kyogle Council area. In Kyogle the Citizen of the Year was Chris Olive. Senior Citizen of the Year was Tom Rogers. The Junior Citizen of the Year was Ruby Stafford. The Junior Sportsperson of the Year was Nate Walters. The Junior Student of the Year was Dakota Jane. The Senior Student of the year was Lacey Chadderton. Danielle Mulholland received an OEM for service to local government and to the community of Kyogle. Congratulations to all those winners.

I congratulate all the winners and recipients of Australia Day Awards in Woodenbong. Citizen of the year was awarded to David Hannant, senior citizen of the year to Glenda Compton and young citizen of the year to Ethan Green. Sportsperson of the year went to Ebony. The business of the year went to the Pitstop Cafe and the community organisation of the year to Woodenbong Cares.

I had the pleasure of attending the Bonalbo celebrations and would like to acknowledge and congratulate members of the community who received Australia Day Awards there—for citizen of the year, Helen Tarte; for achievement in sport, Emerald Dean; and, for community event of the year, the Working Dog Rally Gold Coast/Tweed Motor Sporting Club, co-hosted with the Bonalbo Sport and Recreation Club, whose president is Glen Brinkman. The organisation of the year was the Bonalbo CWA. The business of the year was Kelvyndale Farm, proprietors Kevin and Lyn Gambley—great family. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees from Bonalbo.

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