Local Legends

May 15, 2024

Today I acknowledge the nearly 150 former teachers across New South Wales who have taken up the Government's offer of the Teachers Re-engage program to help alleviate the ongoing teacher shortage crisis.

May 14, 2024

I would like to commend Northern Beaches lifeguards, David Hooper and Tiaan Cronje, who on the 17th March this year, rescued an endangered leatherback turtle a kilometre off the coast of Dee Why Beach. 

May 07, 2024

Today I congratulate Dr Gabrielle Morrissey, Michelle Povah and the entire team at Women and Children First. It is an amazing women's refuge on the northern beaches that services all of Sydney.

March 21, 2024

Today I commend Pippa McKee from the 1st Collaroy Plateau Scout Group, and Alexandra White, Hunter Jackson, and Samuel Hosemans from the 1st Allambie Heights Scout Group—four young Venturer Scouts who were recently awarded the prestigious Queen's Scout Award.

March 14, 2024

Today I commend Meghan Bassett, a Marist Catholic College teacher from Beacon Hill, who received a world teachers' recognition award from the Teachers' Guild of New South Wales, for her commitment to and excellence in teaching. 

March 12, 2024

I am delighted to recognise Aarohi Bansal as a recent finalist in the Women of the Year Awards the Ones to Watch category.

February 08, 2024

I am thrilled to acknowledge the Beach2Beach Charity Fun Run, which has been recognised as the community event of the year in the 2024 Australia Day Awards.

February 08, 2024

I am thrilled to acknowledge the Beach2Beach Charity Fun Run, which has been recognised as the community event of the year in the 2024 Australia Day Awards.

February 07, 2024

Tonight I acknowledge Jimmy Arteaga, our fantastic 2024 Citizen of the Year for the northern beaches. Jimmy is the Unit Commander for Marine Rescue Broken Bay.

February 06, 2024

Today I acknowledge the vital service provided by Kaddy Transport in Dee Why. It was started in 1980 by Val Rayward, a matron at Royal North Shore Hospital, after polio confined her to a wheelchair.

November 30, 2023

I commend the fantastic efforts of those involved in the 2023 Cancer Council's Stars of the Beaches dance gala. This spectacular event spotlighted nine local lunatics—sorry, legends—who not only embraced the art of dance but also played a pivotal role in fundraising for the...

November 28, 2023

I recognise and celebrate the Manly Warringah Wheelchair Basketball Association and the mighty Manly Wheel Eagles, who reached the 2023 State Waratah League grand final in their first year of competition.

November 23, 2023

On behalf of the Wakehurst electorate, I acknowledge and thank the Men's Kitchen Association for its incredible work in establishing and maintaining a safe community space for older men to learn culinary skills.

November 21, 2023

Today I recognise the French-speaking Association of the North Shore and its diligent work in supporting the French community on the northern beaches. 

October 19, 2023

I congratulate the northern beaches‑based Working Title Writers Group, which has completed the national children's fiction competition "Write a Book in a Day" challenge, which raises money for the Kids' Cancer Project.

October 17, 2023

I commend the incredible work of northern beaches resident Jo Mawson Lee, who recently organised a community screening of Jane Hammond's filmBlack Cockatoo Crisis. The documentary details the harrowing plight of the endangered species and the severe impacts of deforestation on our native flora...

October 12, 2023

I congratulate Narraweena Public School, which has won its first ever State championship in rugby union, winning the prestigious Bryan Palmer Shield. Many Wallabies players have called themselves State champions.

October 11, 2023

Today I acknowledge and commend the indispensable work of Women and Children First under the exceptional leadership of CEO Gabrielle Morrisey and its chair, Mayor Sue Heins. Women and Children First has served our community since 1974.

October 10, 2023

I extend my best wishes and congratulations to all HSC students in Wakehurst and across New South Wales as they embark on their exams. The next weeks will undoubtedly be full of excitement, anticipation and some nervousness. During this time, it is important to...

September 20, 2023

Today I acknowledge the amazing work of Stage Artz Performing Arts School. I am lucky enough to be a patron, despite not dancing or singing—and I do not even like musical theatre. Since 2001, the Stage Artz Performing Arts School and Stage Artz Theatre