Kelly O'Dwyer (Higgins, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Twice a year, we as a nation get to officially honour those that have made a significant contribution to our community, a contribution that simply cannot go unnoticed. Every Australia Day we stand and applaud those that have received the nation's highest honours, and this year is no exception. From contributions to community, business and the arts to health, research and sport, each and every person who received an award this year deserves our utmost gratitude and respect.

Again, the people in my electorate of Higgins have done our nation proud, with many worthy recipients. I could speak about their many multiple accomplishments but will limit myself in this short period of time to reading their names: Mr Malcolm Baxter, OAM; Mrs Nellie Bresciani, OAM; Professor William Cartwright, AM; Mr John Davies, OAM; Professor Stephen Davis, AM; Mr Graeme Fair, AM; Mr Bruce Griffiths, OAM; Professor Robert Iansek, OAM; Mrs Natalie Miller, AO; Mrs Rosalie Silverstein, OAM; Mr Graham Smorgon, AM; and Mr Derek Young, AM. All of the awards are a testament to the achievement, sacrifice, hard work and perseverance that these men and women have gone through in order to achieve and accomplish, and I congratulate each and every one of them.

Yet there are many more who quietly volunteer in our communities and they do not get acknowledged or thanked. We thank them here today, as we should. (Time expired)