Deborah O'Neill (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to give a report to the parliament of an event that happened last Saturday in my electorate: a national day of thanksgiving, celebrating local heroes. It was jointly auspiced by Tim and Kim Jones as the pastors of the Liberty Church in Gosford and also by Gosford City Council. I was delighted to be able to hand out some awards on the day. At the outset I congratulate Deborah Warwick from the Imperial Centre, who was an award recipient and who was vital in the event coordination.

Awards went to Dianne Joseph from Gosford SES; Bayard Atkinson, also from Gosford SES, who has given long service in our community; Jordan Smith, who is a young man who works in surf-lifesaving and the Red Shield Appeal and is a student from St Edward's Christian Brothers' College; Senior Constable Jon Stevenson, Constable Gerard Pasfield and Constable Emily Stallard; Hal Moir; the Brisbane Water Local Area Command; Nathan Fernandez, who was surfing near Norah Head and went out and saved someone with his surfboard; Superintendent David Turner; Gary Yates, Gregory Watson, Craig Dodds and Rodney Binding from Fire and Rescue New South Wales; Judy Maudsley of Lions Club International; Lachlan Walter; Leading Senior Constable Robert McDonald; Alex Isbester; the Central Coast Mariners; Janice Park; Vincent Van De Graff; John Phillips, OAM; Ron Hincksman; Bronwyn Ambrogetti; Linda Holton; Senior Constable Shane Raymond— (Time expired)