Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Order of Australia is one of the highest recognitions of service in this nation, and it's one of the most honourable ways we can recognise everyday people and their contributions that have made a lasting mark on this nation and the people around them. It does not come from a government or a boardroom. It comes from the community. Any one of us can put a name forward, and any one of us could be put forward. These awards are about much more than the letters added after someone's name. They're about neighbours and colleagues taking the time to say that someone's work matters and that it deserves national recognition. Today I'd like to recognise the people in my electorate of Swan who have received that honour.

There's Professor Emeritus Trevor Redgrave AM, for significant service to physiology and molecular biology research at the University of Western Australia. Trevor's work has helped establish how the body processes fats after a meal and how the liver clears these particles. There's Mr James Walker AM, for significant service to the mining sector, to historical preservation organisations and to the community. There's Ms Elizabeth Woods AM, for significant service to the law, to people with disability and to basketball administration. Elizabeth is the longest serving female judicial officer and was the first resident magistrate of Kalgoorlie, which is my birth town. There's Ms Elspeth Hensler OAM, for service to the law. Elspeth has a longstanding legacy of continued pro bono work and providing free legal assistance to help the disadvantaged in our society. There's Dr Brian Moon OAM, for service to tertiary education. Brian is a teacher, an author and a researcher in the field of literacy studies and teaches at Edith Cowan University in the School of Education. We need teachers for tomorrow.

There is also Dr Sean Stevens OAM, for service to general practice medicine. Sean has practised as a GP for over 25 years and served as the chair of the Royal Australian College of GPs during the COVID pandemic. Thank you for your service. There's Ms Evelyn Vicker OAM, for service to the law. Evelyn was the former WA deputy state coroner. While in office, her inquest work included the long-term missing persons project, which dealt with historical disappearances across WA.

Every one of these Western Australians has spent a lifetime giving to others. On behalf of the people of Swan, I congratulate them on this honour and thank them for all the work they've done for our community.