Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Youth) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Volunteers have a strong presence throughout the Gold Coast community, whether it's helping out with local sporting teams or responding to natural disasters or emergencies or helping local charities. Volunteers and volunteering have never been more important than they are today, with so many people who need extra support.

Last Thursday it gave me great pleasure to once again host the Moncrieff Community Volunteer Awards at Merrimac State High School on the Gold Coast. Merrimac State High was very generous in providing the space for me to host these awards for a third year in a row. Thank you to Principal Rachel Cutajar, the whole Merrimac team—her school leaders as well—and the Gold Cost community for their continued support of this event. The awards provide us with the opportunity to recognise our volunteers for the contributions that they make to the central Gold Coast community. We're so lucky to have many volunteers, who do the hard yards in the community and give up their time, their love and their support to provide a helping hand when required. Congratulations to all the recipients at this year's Moncrieff community awards.

I also congratulate our Gladys Moncrieff award recipients. This year I expanded the award from one individual award to four speciality awards. The Gladys Moncrieff Women in Leadership Award was presented to Indiah Collingridge for Little Grubbs Orchard and the work that she does there for children. The Gladys Moncrieff Multicultural Appreciation Award was presented to Pushpinder Oberoi for his dedication to the GOPIO community across the Gold Coast. Our inaugural Gladys Moncrieff Service to Veterans Award went to Mark Swain for the great work that he does with the veterans at the Nerang RSL. The Gladys Moncrieff Community Club Champion Award went to the wonderful Mr Jeff Burchell—you are the glue that holds our community together, and I'm extremely proud to be your member and to represent you in Canberra.

Another example of glue that keeps our community together is Gold Coast Women in Business. This year I was thrilled to be bestowed the honour of national ambassador for the women in business awards for 2025 by founder Karen Phillips. Over the years, I've seen this event grow in numbers and indeed prestige. The Gold Coast region is home to an inspiring calibre of talent, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. The Gold Coast Women in Business program provides a meaningful opportunity to shine a light on those businesswomen who continue to break new ground. These awards are more than just accolades; they're a testament to the courage, the creativity and the commitment of Gold Coast women. I want to extend my congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 Gold Coast Women in Business Awards and say to them: 'Keep on keeping on; you are the engine room of the Gold Coast economy. You make me very proud.'