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This morning students from Peter Pan Preschool, Biraban, Awaba PS, Coal Point PS, Blackalls Park PS, Toronto PS, Wangi Wangi PS, Rathmines PS, Arcadia Vale PS and Toronto High School participated in the 2025 Reconciliation Walk. A ceremony with performances and reflections followed the walk, featuring local Elders, school leaders, and special guests.

Congratulations Southlakes U3A on your 10th anniversary!

It has been an honour to be your Patron over the years and have a small role in this mighty volunteer run organisation.

I supported the Abortion Law Reform Amendment (Health Care Access) Bill 2025.

The modest changes in this Bill will allow qualified nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives to prescribe medical abortion in line with their scope of practice, meaning they can prescribe abortion drugs up to nine weeks gestation.

A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) has been prepared and published for the Mandalong Rd upgrade to identify potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures. The REF explains the proposed construction methods, addressing how the work will be managed, including the proposals to minimise environmental impacts.

Last night there was another Lithium-Ion battery fire in Teralba. I was pleased to hear everyone was safe and the fire successfully managed by local crews. This follows the tragic February 2024 house fire which sadly claimed the lives of two women.

More than 580,000 Australians' have served in the Australian Defence Force, participating in a multitude of wars and peace-keeping missions, and each ANZAC Day we pause to remember the heroic actions, determination and great personal sacrifice they have made to keep our country and way of life safe.

In March I submitted two Written Questions on Notice to the Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport, with a 35 day time period to respond. Lake Macquarie residents have suffered long enough and it was important to seek a timeline for the commencement of works.

The Minister has now provided responses.

Thank you to Wangi Wangi RSL Sub-Branch for inviting me to their 2025 Anzac Day annual commemorative luncheon.

This event brings members together, to remember their comrades, veterans and our armed services personnel who have passed on.

'You Can Be Prime Minister' is a great read for young Aussies.

I had the privilege of meeting with its author Sheree Chambers (a Lake Macquarie local) during a special reading at the Toronto Library.

This book shows kids that anyone can grow up to be our country's leader and touches on a few points about democracy as well.

The Heaven Can Wait - Charity Sailing Regatta team have done it again!

The 19th annual charity regatta raised an incredible $85,000 (for the second consecutive year) for two life saving organisations.

The Cancer Council NSW today received $80,000, which will go to the Home Care section of the Hunter Branch.