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Local Legends

Local Legends
  • 14th October 2025 I congratulate the dedicated team of volunteers behind NourishEd Australia on reaching a significant milestone, namely the first anniversary since opening their doors in Toronto. Under the leadership ...
  • 11th September 2025 For the past 60 years, members of the Toronto and District Brass Band have brought a little bit of musical magic to a myriad of Lake Macquarie events. Whether it's through annual performances at A...
  • 10th September 2025 Some desperately needed new homes are becoming available in Lake Macquarie, and it's all thanks to the efforts of Lake Macquarie Landcare. Coordinator Simon Lubinski says the inspired and cost-eff...
  • 10th September 2025 For the past 60 years Morisset High School has served western Lake Macquarie as an educational centre of excellence, inclusion and student empowerment. Under the guidance of Principal Darren Brailey, ...
  • 10th September 2025 As we inch closer to the bushfire season, I congratulate the Wyee Point Rural Fire Brigade for taking proactive action to ensure their station can remain operational during anticipated summer-time bla...
  • 09th September 2025 I congratulate Aunty Selena Archibald, Aboriginal Education Officer at Morisset High School, on receiving the prestigious Aboriginal Education Award at the 2025 Newcastle NAIDOC Awards. Aunty Selena i...
  • 09th September 2025 An awesome foursome is about to take on the world-first, record breaking challenge of riding a Quad Tandem Bike from Perth to Sydney, in a bid to raise $500,000 for suicide prevention education and ch...
  • 09th September 2025 Engaging with the next generation of leaders is one of the most rewarding parts of being a Member of Parliament. Recently 88 young leaders from across 73 electorates, had the opportunity to speak and ...
  • 26th June 2025 I would like to recognise and celebrate the life of Douglas Saxon from Fishing Point, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in this year's King's Birthday Honours, f...
  • 26th June 2025 I would like to acknowledge and congratulate Stephen Raymond of Dora Creek, for being awarded the Emergency Services Medal in this year's King's Birthday Honours. This is a significant achieve...
  • 24th June 2025 Lake Macquarie was hit hard by severe weather and flooding in May, with the SES Lake Macquarie Cluster responding to 806 requests for help, including 15 flood rescues and one evacuation.The SES Lake...
  • 03rd June 2025 I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ron Hansard of Kilpatrick Court Residential Aged Care in Toronto, who turns 100 on the 7th June 2025.I've known of Ron for many years, as he takes an act...
  • 03rd June 2025 The May 2025 floods wreaked havoc in Lake Macquarie, particularly for those living in Dora Creek and Cooranbong.As bad as it was, this natural disaster would have been immeasurably worse if not for ...
  • 28th May 2025 "Enjoy what you've got right in front of you", "enjoy the people not the things" and "live with no regrets", wise words from a very wise woman, namely Lyla Richards w...
  • 14th May 2025 On behalf of the Lake Macquarie community, I congratulate Southlakes U3A on reaching an incredible milestone, namely, its 10th anniversary.U3A's motto, "Learn, Laugh, Live", is mo...
  • 13th May 2025 I congratulate Dr Alyce Barnes, who has recently been awarded the highest civic honour, named the 2025 Lake Macquarie Ambassador. Dr Barnes is a University of Newcastle researcher who co-led the inter...
  • 08th May 2025 Politics isn't a subject you'd typically expect to find in a children's book, but Lake Macquarie author/illustrator Sheree Chambers has managed to produce a picture book on democracy that&...
  • 08th May 2025 Since the mid-70s the Toronto Amateur Sailing Club [TASC] has been a flagship of the Lake Macqaurie community and was recently recognised in the 2025 Lake Mac Awards, being highly commended in the Com...
  • 08th May 2025 For more than 30 years, the Westlakes Athletic Club has provided a safe and encouraging haven for anyone and everyone interested in athletics, regardless of age or ability, at the Wangi Oval. This spi...
  • 20th March 2025 While all teachers are amazing individuals, I make special mention of Stephen Hindmarsh, Head of Secondary at Heritage College Lake Macquarie, who goes above and beyond for his students. Recently Step...
  • 19th March 2025 Members of The Hunter Mountain Bike Association have, once again, ridden the path to success when they represented the Hunter region at the recent Cannonball MTB Festival in Thredbo. Over five days, r...
  • 19th March 2025 Racism and the lasting impact it has on individuals and communities is an ugly and deeply important issue. Recently, I was blown away by the sheer talent of 2024 HSC Visual Arts student Joelle Coutet-...
  • 19th March 2025 I acknowledge the extraordinary talent of Ken Young, a student from Toronto High School, whose remarkable HSC artwork has earned him a place in the prestigious "First Class 24" exhibition at...
  • 18th March 2025 Today I recognise the extraordinary efforts of 16-year-old Nate Fullerton, 15-year-old Samuel Terry and 15-year-old Hamish Chalmers from Heritage College Lake Macquarie, who last month pushed their bo...
  • 18th March 2025 I acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of Jess Ward, a talented student from Avondale School, whose HSC artwork, Simply Being, has been selected for the prestigious First Class 24 exhibition at ...
  • 18th March 2025 I acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of Jess Ward, a talented student from Avondale School, whose HSC artwork, Simply Being, has been selected for the prestigious First Class 24 exhibition at ...
  • 11th February 2025 I would like to acknowledge the exemplary career of Alan Robinson who has recently retired from the NSW Rural Fire Service after nearly 60 years. Alan joined the Blaxland Volunteer NSW Bush Fire Briga...
  • 11th February 2025 17-year-old Makaylah Fenwick from Awaba really has secured gold at the end of a rainbow. Makaylah is an extremely talented horse rider, and in January rode her eight-year-old gelding, Rainbow Man, to ...
  • 21st November 2024 Whether they're spinning a yarn or weaving the fibres of new friendships, the members of the Morisset Spinners and Weavers have been a tight knit community group for the past 40 years. It all bega...
  • 12th November 2024 I acknowledge two remarkable individuals, Kelvin and Julie Ward from Silverwater whose dedication to the Lake Macquarie community and the environment is truly inspiring. As founding leaders of the Sun...