Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This year's Wyong Shire Council Citizen of the Year is Lieutenant Commander Steven Reynolds CSM RANR. Lieutenant Commander Reynolds joined the Royal Australian Navy at the age of 15 and has just finished over 41 years of continuous service. Lieutenant Commander Reynolds has dedicated his life to serving Australia as a member of the Defence Force and has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including being named Sailor of the Year and receiving the Peter Mitchell Prize and a Chief of Navy Commendation in 1993 and being awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal in 1997. Steven achieved the highest noncommissioned rank of warrant officer in 2000 and was successful in transferring to the officer corps in 2005. He rapidly achieved success as an officer and later that year was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander and given a senior position on board HMAS Darwin as the senior logistic officer.

In addition to his military service, Steven also contributes to our local community and is currently the President of the Naval Association Tuggerah Lakes Sub Section as well as a committee member of The Entrance Long Jetty RSL Sub Branch.

Steven ranks his appointment as Wyong Citizen of the Year as his finest achievement. Steven is a very, very modest man, and we are proud to have him in our community. Lieutenant Commander Reynolds has served our nation and the local Central Coast community, and it is an honour to thank and recognise him in the parliament today.