Fiona Scott (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The best qualities of the people of Western Sydney were once again on show at this year's Australia Day Awards. Firstly, Harold Hunt of St Marys and George Rabie of Emu Plains were awarded an Order of Australia Medal for their services to the local community. For many years, both Harold and George have been outstanding local ambassadors who epitomise everything that is good about our Western Sydney community.

I also extend my congratulations to the six recipients of the Penrith City Council Awards, which celebrated our region's finest values by recognising local people making a real difference in our community. The bushfires that devastated the Blue Mountains in October put on show Penrith's Citizen of the Year Peter Camilleri's generosity of spirit and commitment to helping others. I witnessed firsthand Peter turning his business, Penrith Storage King, into a collection point for donated goods to help those who had lost their homes. The business also operated as a drop-off point for water and supplies for the Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Services. Thank you, Peter, for all you have done.

Bede Johnston was awarded Penrith Sports Person of the Year. In memory of his sister Kate, who lost her battle with an extremely rare blood disorder in May 2013, Bede competed in the ironman triathlon in Port Macquarie. He raised over $5,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation and also qualified for the World Championships in Hawaii last October.

I also congratulate Robert and Joyce Moynahan, Phil Lacey, Elizabeth Reibelt and the one and only Gina Field from Nepean Regional Security. (Time expired)