Page 203 - Week 01 - Thursday, 10 February 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
recognised in the Australia Day honours this year. It has been a challenging few years for Canberrans and the 48 Canberran recipients of the Australia Day honours reflect the spirit in which our community continues to look after and support each other. I will not name all of them in this short statement, but I would like to acknowledge a few people whose names and achievements deserve mention, given my ministerial portfolios.
Firstly, I acknowledge the late Sue Salthouse for being made a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service as an advocate for people with disability and for the prevention of family violence. Sue was a former ACT Senior Australian of the Year, Canberra Citizen of the Year, and Senior Woman of the Year. I had the privilege of working with her in my time at Equality Rights Alliance and at the Women’s Centre for Health Matters on issues like employment for women with disabilities and housing affordability. Her commitment to the development of leadership skills in women with disability means that there are many ACT women who will continue her fierce advocacy.
I also congratulate David Williams, founder of the ACT Down Syndrome Association’s Confident Speakers Program and president of the Australian Society for Knowledge Management, for being made a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to people with disability and to education.
The following distinguished Canberrans have also been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia: retired Colonel Ian Francis Ahearn, for service to veterans; Bonnie Jennifer Carter—and it was beautiful to hear what you said, Tara—community fundraiser and organiser, for service to community health; Martin Fisk, CEO of Menslink and founder of Fearless Women, for service to the community through social welfare organisations; Alan Frederick Jessop, for his incredible volunteer work with Salvation Army for over 20 years, for service to the community through charitable organisations; Julie Kulikowski, for service to community health; and Vanessa Low, gold medallist and Olympic champion, for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020.
Finally, I am delighted that our very own Val Dempsey has been named Senior Australian of the Year for 2022 for her tireless commitment to promote and deliver emergency first-aid training to save lives. Val has dedicated over half her life to volunteering for the St John Ambulance and is so deserving of being named our Senior Australian of the Year.
I also recognise the dedication and care shown by ACT Local Hero Luke Ferguson in his work engaging young people with disability at the Woden School, in creating music events that celebrate the students’ ability to spark joy and build their independence.
I say to all Canberran recipients of the Australia Day honours: congratulations on your achievements and your service to our community.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video