Brian Mitchell (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I recognise five men and women from my electorate who were honoured with Order of Australia medals in the Australia Day honours list. Colin Howlett, a former mayor of the Southern Midlands, was recognised for his service to local government and the community of the Southern Midlands. He may now live in Hobart, but we won't hold that against him! Sarah Lloyd of Biralee is an author, photographer and naturalist. She was recognised for her service to conservation and the environment. Douglas Renshaw of Bicheno—president of the Bicheno RSL, chair of the local Men's Shed, a life member of Lions and a volunteer firefighter—was recognised for his service to the community of Bicheno. Paul Wilson of Oatlands is a life member of the bowls club and the Oatlands RSL, a founding member of the Oatlands Christmas pageant and a former volunteer ambo. He was recognised for his service to the community of Oatlands. Lexie Young of Deloraine is president of the Deloraine branch of the Red Cross and Deloraine Probus. She is a member of the Deloraine Agricultural and Pastoral Society and a founding member of the CWA Deloraine branch. She was recognised for her service to the community of Deloraine.

Each and every one of them is a very worthy recipient of the Order of Australia award. All they have done, and continue to do, is bring dignity to the Order of Australia to which they now belong. They are fine examples of the best that Australia has to offer, and I take my hat off to everything they have achieved in life and everything that they continue to bring to the communities they represent.