David Batt (Hinkler, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week, I launched a 'local first' campaign to celebrate all things home grown in Hinkler. In the lead-up to Christmas, the state member for Hervey Bay, David Lee, and the member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett, have joined with me to encourage my community to shop, visit, eat, buy, drink and dine local first, I thank the many businesses who have signed up for the posters to help spread the word, and I do hope it all results in a much-needed boost to our local economy. Hinkler's small and family businesses are the backbone of my community 365 days a year. Thanks to businesses such as Bundaberg's Cha Cha Chocolate and Avenell Bros; Homeleigh House at Bargara; Migaloos Seafood, Urangan Fisheries and RAD Rolled Ice Cream in Hervey Bay; and Buck's Butcher Shoppe in Childers—just to name some who have helped us kickstart this great local first initiative.

Sixteen days of activism has begun this week in Hinkler. It's a campaign to eliminate violence against women run by the Zonta clubs of Bundaberg and Hervey Bay. As a White Ribbon ambassador and through my various roles in the police service and politics, I've always been a passionate advocate for this cause. Tomorrow, day 3, is a day of orange to symbolise a brighter future free from violence. The program will conclude with a day of reflection on Wednesday 10 December. I encourage everyone to stand with our Zonta clubs to eliminate violence against women and children.

Last week, Peter and Joyce Drummond celebrated 70 years of marriage. The word 'wow' was written on their anniversary cake. Married in Ballarat on 19 November 1955, Peter and Joyce have two children, Stephen and Kerry. They are also blessed to have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. I wish Peter and Joyce all the very best, and here's to many more anniversaries down the track.

Congratulations must extend to all the winners of the recent Bundaberg and District Business Excellence Awards. There were so many great achievements acknowledged on the night, but I want to mention that the Bundaberg Business of the Year was awarded to LiveLife Pharmacy Kepnock, and the Childers 2025 Business of the Year was presented to IGA Supermarket at Childers. Congratulations to all the awardees. It's a season for celebration in Hinkler. I was proud to support the annual Fraser Coast Business and Tourism Awards and tip my hat to my region's most successful businesses and tourism enterprises. The award I had the privilege of sponsoring was the Best New Fraser Coast Business, and that went to Social Box. The Social Box team now has a full-scale operation serving up wholesome meals to people all over Hinkler, including to aged care and NDIS clients and providers.

It's a privilege to serve as the federal member for Hinkler. My family and I would like to wish those in my electorate of Hinkler a wonderful Christmas filled with love and laughter and a new year that brings peace, health and happiness.