David Gillespie (Lyne, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd like to congratulate and give a big shout out to some outstanding volunteers who were honoured in the recent Australia Day awards. Dungog Shire Council's Gwen Rumble was named Young Citizen of the Year for showing outstanding leadership in her community. She had received the New South Wales Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship 2022 and for volunteering in the National Youth Ambassador program. Georgia McDonald received Junior Sports Award for representing Glen William Public School in zone athletics, swimming and touch football. She also competed in the New South Wales state age championships.

Lachlan Richardson William Dowling of Gresford received the Senior Sports Award for his efforts as one of Australia's best rodeo riders, placing second in the PVR Australia grand finals. He ended the 2022 season in the top three of the national rankings. Lachlan is really inspiring many other to go into the sport. William Dowling of Bandon Grove received the Environmental Citizen of the Year award for his efforts in several projects in state forests in the Barrington Tops State Conservation Area and working through the Dungog Commons.

Pauline Cambourne and Susan Dillon are also doing great things in the Dungog Shire. They received the Volunteer Service to the Community Award for their efforts at the Dungog growers stall and as secretary of the successful Dungog Tea Party—which I can say from my own personal experience is an amazing success. Hundreds of people come to Dungog to look at the amazing collection of teapots. Susan has also put in a huge effort for the Paterson River Pony Club for more than twenty years and manages the Gresford canteen.

In the Port Macquarie Hastings Council awards, local Lake Cathie Public School principal, Jock Garven, was recognised as Joint Citizen of the Year for his hours of volunteer work and the positive impact he is really making. His achievements include out-of-hours youth bands HATCH and HATCHlings, creating the Big Band Blast in 2013 with Jazz musician John Morrison and giving 17 years of his time to volunteering with the Wauchope-Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club.

Tin Hta Nu was named a Living Treasure in the awards. Tin is a political refugee who fled Myanmar in 1990. She has committed her life here in Australia to improving her community. She was involved in human rights struggles during her university days, so her life was in danger. That's why she left Myanmar.

Alicia Payne (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 193 the time for members' constituency statements has concluded.