Simon Kennedy (Cook, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I wish to acknowledge 39 amazing Australians who reside in Cook. Our 2026 Cook Volunteer of the Year is Lisa Brown. For many years, Lisa served as registrar for the Gymea United Football Club, a very demanding and largely unseen role ensuring hundreds of local families participate and have fun each season. Lisa has also supported the all-abilities Sutherland Titans FC and the St Pat's Baseball Club. She gives back well beyond her family's involvement and continued the role decades after her children went through. Her dedication strengthened grassroots sports across the Sutherland Shire and reinforced a sense of belonging. There are now three people doing the job Lisa used to do at Gymea United. She is humble, serves without fuss and accepted the award without a speech. Well, Lisa, I will speak for you. Your community celebrates you, and I celebrate you. From all the mums and dads right across the Sutherland Shire, thank you.

Our 2026 Cook Young Volunteer of the Year is Angus Cunningham. After facing cancer twice before the age of 12, Angus chose leadership over retreat. Through his book Twice Before Twelve, his advocacy, talking and mental-health coaching, he's offered hope and reassurance to young families navigating serious illness. Angus speaks on mental health, showing courage, vulnerability and love for his family and friends—the very role model of a modern man. He now fundraises for charity and is an avid runner. Angus, the whole community of Cook is very proud of you.

This year, we also presented the inaugural Legacy of Lifetime Excellence in Surf Lifesaving Award to Warren Rennie AM. For almost 70 years, Warren has served surf lifesaving as a lifesaver, as a coach, as a referee, as an educator and as an administrator. He's been inducted into the Surf Life Saving Australia Hall of Fame, appointed a Member of the Order of Australia and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. Internationally, Warren has been recognised as a Grand Knight in the Order of Lifesaving, the highest honour in the global lifesaving movement. Warren, you are a legend. Thank you for what you do for our community.

In sport, we honoured Alex Johnston, Dave Richards, Jodie Green, Katrina Sant, Maureen Crowther and Helen Hamilton-Foster. We also recognised Luke Khoury and Jarryd Biviano for community sporting development, Tracie Sammut as a sporting trailblazer and Sandra Moss as a sports mentor. In surf lifesaving, we honoured Kasey Diver-Tuck, and, for community leadership and fundraising, we recognised Timothy and Kathryn Murdoch and Thana Akkari.

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