Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

On Australia Day in Calare, we celebrated the wonderful community members who've made such an enormous contribution to the life of our region and country. I had the privilege of attending numerous events and I congratulate the Central West Australia Day honours recipients.

Chris Colvin, the Orange RSL sub-branch president, received an OAM for service to veterans. Judith Brooke was awarded an OAM for service to the Bathurst community, while Paul Crennan was awarded an OAM for his significant contribution to the law and the Bathurst community, also. Paul Hennessy's 40 years of service to Scouts was recognised with an OAM for service to youth and the community, while John Hollis also received an OAM for service to Bathurst. Dr Ed Marel from Clear Creek received an OAM for 35 years service to orthopaedics. In Mudgee, Richard Blackman was recognised for service to Coonabarabran.

Three Bathurst residents received meritorious awards. Bathurst council general manager David Sherley received the Public Service Medal for outstanding service to local government. Paramedic Kirsty England was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal for 25 years service as a paramedic and educator, and Bathurst Commander, Detective Superintendent Darren Beeche, received the Australian Police Medal.

On Australia Day there were many highly deserving local award winners from right around our region, and it's a privilege to also recognise some of them in this house today. The Lithgow Open Citizen of the Year was awarded to Chris Wade, and Zoe Walsh was named young citizen. Congratulations to Cecilia Hunt, Bathurst Citizen of the Year. Kevin McGuire was named Orange Citizen of the Year, and young citizen was presented to Oliver Jarick. Sally Green was awarded Blayney Citizen of the Year and Zareah Coughlan was named young citizen.

In Oberon, Helen Ivers was presented with local Citizen of the Year, and Serenity Saville was named young citizen. Kymberlee Chase was awarded Cudal Citizen of the Year, and congratulations to young citizen, Ava Fountain. Eugowra's Daniel Townsend was awarded Citizen of the Year, and congratulations to Young Citizen, Celeste Gavin. Sandra Barker was awarded Yeoval Citizen of the Year alongside Brooke Haycock, who was named young citizen. Congratulations to Jacquie Dredge, who was named Canowindra's community person of the year, and Jack Smyth, who was named Young Citizen of the Year. Christian Cheney was named Cargo's Citizen of the Year, and Darcie Cole was awarded Young Citizen. Cumnock Citizen of the Year was Bev Worrall, and Sophie Foster was named young citizen.

At the Manildra celebrations, Craig Williamson was awarded Citizen of the Year and Lucy Gibson young citizen. In Molong, Rozzi Smith was presented with the Citizen of the Year award, while Katie Fulwood was awarded young citizen. Ashleigh Miller was Mullion Creek's Citizen of the Year, along with young citizen Fletcher Ryan; and, in Wellington, Mark Griggs was named Citizen of the Year. Well done, Griggsy! Congratulations also to Carol Morrissey, Mid-Western Regional Council's Citizen of the Year, and Young Citizen, Ellie Rowlands. And well done to Cabonne's Australia Day Youth Ambassador, Nick Gibson.

On behalf of this House, I sincerely thank all of those honoured on Australia Day, including all of our volunteers and community groups, for their vitally important contributions in making Australia the greatest country on Earth.

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