Carol Berry (Whitlam, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to recognise Tori Henderson, who recently completed her one-year term as Shellharbour City Council's 2025 Young Citizen of the Year. Tori received this award for her extraordinary work as a volunteer across a number of areas in her community. While completing year 12 as captain of Lake Illawarra High School, Tori spent many hours volunteering with the Roo Theatre Company and also the New South Wales State Emergency Service. The Roo Theatre Company is a community based, not-for-profit organisation that is based in Shellharbour. It produces professionally staged theatre, including musicals, comedies and dramas. Tori's contribution to Roo Theatre Company has included performing on stage, participating as stage crew and running the canteen.

In 2023, Tori was part of the New South Wales SES Shellharbour unit's inaugural internship program, which involves students working alongside SES mentors and volunteers. She received the commander's commendation award at the completion of her internship for her outstanding contribution to the program and subsequently decided to join the SES as soon as she could when she turned 16. Tori has been an active member of the New South Wales SES Shellharbour unit ever since, regularly attending meetings and call-outs. I thank Tori for her significant and ongoing contribution to her community and for being an outstanding role model, and I wish her all the very best for her future.

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