Racism and the lasting impact it has on individuals and communities is an ugly and deeply important issue. Recently, I was blown away by the sheer talent of 2024 HSC Visual Arts student Joelle Coutet-Roberts from Charlton Christian College, who managed to encapsulate this topic through her work 'A Bag is a Bag; Wrapped in Plastic, Held in Fear'.

I acknowledge the extraordinary talent of Ken Young, a student from Toronto High School, whose remarkable HSC artwork has earned him a place in the prestigious "First Class 24" exhibition at the Museum of Art and Culture, Lake Macquarie. This exhibition showcases the very best of last year's HSC Visual Arts cohort. Ken's triptych,

Today I recognise the extraordinary efforts of 16-year-old Nate Fullerton, 15-year-old Samuel Terry and 15-year-old Hamish Chalmers from Heritage College Lake Macquarie, who last month pushed their bodies and minds to the limit to raise desperately needed funds for Majimoto Secondary School in Kenya. The teenage trio took part in the gruelling Action

I acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of Jess Ward, a talented student from Avondale School, whose HSC artwork, Simply Being, has been selected for the prestigious First Class 24 exhibition at the Museum of Art and Culture. Simply Being, a deeply moving piece created with charcoal and soft pastels on paper, portrays three significant people

I acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of Jess Ward, a talented student from Avondale School, whose HSC artwork, Simply Being, has been selected for the prestigious First Class 24 exhibition at the Museum of Art and Culture. Simply Being, a deeply moving piece created with charcoal and soft pastels on paper, portrays three significant people

I would like to acknowledge the exemplary career of Alan Robinson who has recently retired from the NSW Rural Fire Service after nearly 60 years. Alan joined the Blaxland Volunteer NSW Bush Fire Brigades in 1967. He has been involved in many campaign fires and significant fire seasons, including the 1968 Blue Mountains bushfires, 1974 to 1975 bushfire

17-year-old Makaylah Fenwick from Awaba really has secured gold at the end of a rainbow. Makaylah is an extremely talented horse rider, and in January rode her eight-year-old gelding, Rainbow Man, to victory taking out the Off the Track Cup at the Magic Millions Showjumping and Polo event held in Queensland.

Whether they're spinning a yarn or weaving the fibres of new friendships, the members of the Morisset Spinners and Weavers have been a tight knit community group for the past 40 years. It all began in 1984, when an advertisement was placed in a local newspaper calling on anyone who had an interest in spinning and weaving to come together at

I acknowledge two remarkable individuals, Kelvin and Julie Ward from Silverwater whose dedication to the Lake Macquarie community and the environment is truly inspiring. As founding leaders of the Sunshine and Silverwater Landcare Group, Kelvin and Julie have been instrumental in leading efforts to protect and restore the natural beauty of the Morisset

Ian and Leanda Guy are an extraordinary couple from Coal Point, who embody selfless dedication and excellence as volunteers with the Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie unit. They have not only committed themselves to serving our community but have also showcased their remarkable skills in the angling categories of the 2024 Police and Emergency Services