Today I rise to celebrate the remarkable life of a little girl from Kew in my electorate of Lyne whose name will now be known to millions of travellers from around the world, Nancy Bird Walton. With the opening of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, named in her honour, Australia is recognising one of Australia's greatest aviation pioneers. Yet, for those of us on the Mid North Coast, Nancy's story holds unique and heartfelt significance because her remarkable journey began in the electorate of Lyne.

Nancy was born in the tiny Camden Haven community of Kew in 1915. It was at the Wingham Show, aged just 13, that young Nancy first took to the skies in an experience that kickstarted a dream, a dream which she pursued under the tutelage of the legendary Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. By age 19, Nancy had already made history as Australia's first female commercial pilot. Think about what that meant in the 1930s, when opportunities for women were so limited, particularly in a field like aviation. But Nancy wasn't content simply to break barriers. She went on to fly doctors, nurses and patients across remote parts of western New South Wales, earning the affectionate title Angel of the Outback. She channelled her passion and remarkable skills into serving others, and in doing so she inspired generations of women to follow her path into the skies.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Camden Haven historical museum and its dedicated volunteers, who celebrated the airport's opening with a special exhibition at the Camden Haven Show on Saturday and Sunday, bringing Nancy's achievements home to the very community where her journey began. I thank everyone involved for ensuring future generations appreciate the extraordinary legacy this young local woman from Kew has given Australian aviation.

Nancy's story offers another powerful lesson I want to share with this parliament and the young people of Lyne. Sometimes young people growing up in country towns feel their horizons are narrower than those of their peers in the bustling capital cities. I don't believe that for a moment. Growing up in regional Australia is a gift, not a limitation—one I know well. Our communities instil in us resilience, a strong work ethic, independence and the deep value of caring for one another. Nancy Bird Walton stands as living proof that your beginnings do not define your destination. To every young person growing up across the electorate of Lyne, from the Hastings to the Hunter, my message is this: be proud of where you come from, have the courage to chase your dreams even when others insist they are out of reach and never be afraid to set your sights high. Nancy Bird Walton reached for the skies, and there is every reason to believe that the next generation of young people from the Lyne electorate can soar just as high.