Jo Briskey (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's an honour to rise today to celebrate five remarkable local individuals whose lives of service have profoundly shaped the community I represent and Australia as a whole. Recognised the in the 2026 Australia Day Honours, these local champions remind us that the heart of our nation is found in those who dedicate themselves to the service of others.

Take Brendan Schwab from Moonee Ponds, who has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. In the global arena of advocacy, Brendan has been a titan, a pioneer for athletes' rights. He has used his legal brilliance to ensure that those who entertain us on the field are protected by fundamental human rights off it. His work has elevated the dignity of professional sport on a global and local scale, and we are incredibly proud to claim him as one of our own.

We also salute two local recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia: Ralph Plarre from Essendon, who is a man who transformed a family bakery in into a sustainable powerhouse. Ferguson Bakehouses are beloved by so many Victorians. Ralph hasn't just baked bread; he has nourished communities across Melbourne to East Timor and Uganda, proving that business success and humanitarian spirit can and should go hand in hand.

Joining him is a true local legend: Susan Rainey from Moonee Ponds. For 50 years, Susan has been the heartbeat of the Essendon squash community. Since 1970, when she first opened the doors of the Essendon squash courts she has been a mentor and a founding pillar of the sport. Her five decades of service is a masterclass in grassroots devotion.

We also recognise Victoria Ryan from Airport West, who was awarded the Australian Corrections Medal, having dedicated over 30 years to Corrections Victoria and currently serving as the general manager of the Metropolitan Remand Centre. She has navigated the complexities of our justice system with professional steel, deep empathy, proving that a safer community is built through rehabilitation and fairness.

Finally, there's Kate Gavens from Ascot Vale, who was awarded the Public Service Medal. As Victoria's inaugural chief conservation regulator, Kate built an agency from the ground up that prioritises transparency and the protection of our biodiversity, embedding cultural safety and community trust into the core of environmental law.

My community is home to many extraordinary people, but these five individuals truly represent the very best of us. They remind us that whether it's through global advocacy, transformative public service or 50 years of local sporting devotion, one person's commitment can leave a legacy that lasts for generations. Their stories are the stories of Maribyrnong, defined by hard work, a sense of justice and a deep seated care for our neighbours. We are a better, stronger and more compassionate community because of their efforts. On behalf of the Maribyrnong electorate, I congratulate each of them on their well-deserved honours in the 2026 Australia Day list. I thank them for their passion, their integrity and their enduring service to our community.