Kiama Electorate Australia Day Awards

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-96550

Hansard session: Fifty-Sixth Parliament, First Session (56-1)

Kiama Electorate Australia Day Awards

Mr GARETH WARD (Kiama) (17:47:42):

Like many members of this place, I enjoy celebrating Australia Day in my community. Having spent time in the Middle East over Christmas, I cannot emphasise how lucky we are to live in this wonderful country of ours. This year I attended a number of Australia Day community events including a Rotary Club of Berry barbecue breakfast at Berry Showground, with special guest speaker and my great friend and local lawyer Paul Ell; a flag-raising ceremony at the Kiama Downs Surf Life Saving Club, with my good friend Councillor Mark Way and club captain Josh Douglas; a citizenship ceremony in Hindmarsh Park with our wonderful new Mayor of Kiama, Mark Honey; and Kiama Show Society's official opening night reception at the Kiama Pavilion.

I acknowledge the following citizens who received Australia Day Awards for their outstanding contributions to our region. I congratulate Citizen of the Year Colin Rathbone, who was recognised for 30 years with the Kiama and District Sport Association, Kiama Red Cross and Friends of Blue Haven. The Kiama Young Citizen of the Year was Imogen Bakewell, who was also the 2015 Youth Member for Kiama. As the 2014‑15 Captain of Kiama High School, Imogen helped organise many fundraising and social events and leadership workshops as well as successfully lobbying for improvements to student facilities. Former Kiama Councillor Howard Jones received the Kiama Council Achievement Award for Service to the Environment.

The Youth Achievement Award went to award-winning photographer Ryan North, a wonderful young man with a very bright future. David Evans and Tamara Campbell received the Australia Day Community Arts Award for their work developing and running the Kiss Arts festival—a wonderful celebration in Kiama. Vince Hardman of Kiama, a surf club member for more than 40 years, received the Australia Day Sports Award in recognition of his pioneering work creating the South Coast Surf Life Saving radio room and communication operations. Jean Elaine Pratt received the Community Achievement Award for more than 50 years of volunteer work.

In the Shoalhaven, I congratulate Citizen of the Year June Stevens of North Nowra on her many years of volunteering and community service aiding families in the Shoalhaven. June is a wonderful and warm person and I am so proud of all her achievements. Dick Manwarring was recognised and awarded Citizen of the Year Highly Commended for his dedication in raising money for local cancer facilities—I note the Speaker acknowledged him in this place last week. Young Citizen of the Year went to Ava Del Tufo for her unwavering dedication and wholehearted enthusiasm to assist with social issues and community initiatives. Shoalhaven Sports Person of the Year was awarded to Ashleigh Hewson for being an outstanding sports representative for the Shoalhaven, promoting women's sports at all levels, particularly rugby union. Shoalhaven Junior Sports Person of the Year was Tarje Whitford for his contribution and consistent performance in rugby league.

In Shellharbour, I congratulate Citizen of the Year and President of Shellharbour St Vincent de Paul Society Anna Leschnik, and Young Citizen of the Year, Warilla High School student Piper Rye on his work for organisations, including the KidzWish Foundation. A number of local residents were also recognised in the Australia Day honours list, including Ron Dryburgh of Albion Park, who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal [OAM] for his distinguished contribution to Albion Park Men's Shed, Albion Park Anglican Church and the Albion Park-Oak Flats Probus Club. He is a great friend to the community and a dear friend to me.

I congratulate top Illawarra scientist Professor Gordon Wallace, AO; North Wollongong academic Bill Lovegrove, AO; local Thirroul general practitioner, Dr Ann Ellacott, OAM, on her service to medicine; community health and education; Wollongong Rotarian Patrick Roberts, OAM; and former BlueScope boss, Noel Cornish, AM. Noel has been a wonderful mentor to so many, including me, and he is deeply deserving of this award. I am pleased to acknowledge Highlights on Mental Health and Illawarra's Top Model founder Robyn te Velde, OAM. Robyn is such a force of energy and I am so pleased with her recognition.

My friend Ray Vincent, OAM, of Coolangatta, has been recognised for his service to the local community, including Apex and Shoalhaven Heads Apex Cottages for Kids, which was established in 1991 and provides respite accommodation for families of chronically ill or disabled children through the Apex Foundation. Ray is a dedicated community man and this recognition is not before time. I extend congratulations to all those who were recognised on Australia Day for their great contributions to our community. They are the essence and flavour of our region. They embody the values of Australian mateship and dedication to others. They also embody altruistic service that makes Australia the best country in the world. We salute their volunteer service and thank them for their dedication. I am so proud of all of these great citizens who come from my community, the Kiama electorate.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (17:52:10):s.

I congratulate the member for Kiama on his outstanding work. Citizenship and community awards were given on Australia Day not only in Kiama but also in all electorates throughout New South Wales and Australia. Communities are stronger because of the great work undertaken by many volunteers and many of us hold community award ceremonies every year. Volunteers across our country are unsung heroes because of their services to local communities. They do not seek recognition or awards; they volunteer their time because of their community spirit. I thank all those award recipient