Thursday, 6 February 2025

 Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (10:00): It was an honour to hear Dr Jeffrey Rosenfeld speak at the 77th Australia Day Council Victoria dinner, where we – and I quote from his address – ‘celebrate the diversity and wondrous achievements of past and present Australians in all endeavours’. I want to congratulate the many Australians who have been Australia Day recipients of Order of Australia Medals at the beautiful Woodlands Golf Club in Mordialloc and the Australia Day awards in Dandenong. I enjoyed meeting many constituents who became Australian citizens on Australia Day, acknowledging that the granting of Australian citizenship for the first time took place on 26 January 1948, which is how we came to call Australia Day by its name.