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John Balfour

I congratulate John Balfour on being named Northern Beaches Council Senior Citizen of the Year. This is an incredible and well-deserved honour. Like many, John started off as a cadet. He later took part in the Australian Army Reserves for 48 years and gave over 50 years of service to his local RSL NSW. In 2013 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to veterans. John has served as Parade Commander for the annual Forestville RSL Sub-Branch ANZAC Sunday March, has coordinated the annual Australia My Country competition with local schools, is a volunteer groundsman at Belrose Public School and Wesley Gardens and also managed the Australia's Memorial Walk at North Head. John is dedicated to educating young people about our nation's history to ensure that stories of service and sacrifice are never forgotten. He inspires generations to value courage and community. We are fortunate to benefit from his extraordinary service. I congratulate John again on his achievements. I truly am thankful for his extraordinary leadership of our community.

Read the Community Recognition Statement in the NSW Hansard, here.

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Simone Short

June 15, 2026

I warmly congratulate Simone Short, founder and Chair of Gidget Foundation Australia, as our Westfield Warringah Mall Local Hero for 2025. For over two decades, Simone has dedicated herself to supporting expectant and new parents navigating the often-hidden challenges of perinatal depression and anxiety...

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Surf Rider Foundation

February 11, 2026

Today I congratulate the Adopt a Beach Team from Surfrider Foundation Northern Beaches on being named the 2026 Community Group of the Year by Northern Beaches Council. For 34 years the Surfrider Foundation has been protecting our coastlines. In 2025 the Northern Beaches branch launched...

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