Tuesday, 8 February 2022

Members statements

Australia Day awards

Ms THOMAS (Macedon—Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development) (15:32): I rise today to congratulate some of my constituents who received awards on Australia Day. Congratulations to Riddells Creek resident Gill Metz, who was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal this year. Gill has spent over 20 years with fire services as a volunteer at CFA, as a staff member at CFA and in her roles at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning as assistant chief officer and deputy chief fire officer. Gill has championed the cause of diversity within the fire services now over many years, and she passionately believes that brigades should reflect the communities that they serve. In her current role as secretary of Riddells Creek CFA Gill has mentored many young women and men to fulfill their potential and has created a fantastic community atmosphere. Congratulations to Gill on this much-deserved recognition.

I would also like to acknowledge local Australia Day award winner and Woodend local and sustainability campaigner David Gormley-O’Brien, who took out Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year award for his tireless grassroots environmental advocacy. Daylesford stalwart Danny Moynihan was awarded Hepburn shire’s Citizen of the Year for his tireless volunteering and selfless commitment to the region. Both of these men contribute in so many ways to the regions in which they live and serve, and they are both part of that great spirit that makes Macedon such a wonderful place to live.