I would like to recognise and celebrate the life of Douglas Saxon from Fishing Point, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in this year's King's Birthday Honours, for service to education, local history and music.

Doug had a passion for local history and wrote 21 books including A History of Eraring

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate Stephen Raymond of Dora Creek, for being awarded the Emergency Services Medal in this year's King's Birthday Honours. This is a significant achievement, and one that is well deserved.

Stephen first joined the emergency services back in 1989 with the Rural Fire Service, he quickly

Lake Macquarie was hit hard by severe weather and flooding in May, with the SES Lake Macquarie Cluster responding to 806 requests for help, including 15 flood rescues and one evacuation.

The SES Lake Macquarie City Unit played a crucial role during this natural disaster, completing 514 of those jobs and assisting in life-saving rescues.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ron Hansard of Kilpatrick Court Residential Aged Care in Toronto, who turns 100 on the 7th June 2025.

I've known of Ron for many years, as he takes an active interest in the community and has availed me of his wisdom through numerous letters. But, it was only last week that I had the privilege

The May 2025 floods wreaked havoc in Lake Macquarie, particularly for those living in Dora Creek and Cooranbong.

As bad as it was, this natural disaster would have been immeasurably worse if not for the tireless efforts the SES Cooranbong Unit. Though they themselves were cold, wet and utterly exhausted, the 21 SES volunteers left their

"Enjoy what you've got right in front of you", "enjoy the people not the things" and "live with no regrets", wise words from a very wise woman, namely Lyla Richards who, on the 17th May 2025, celebrated her 100th birthday.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lyla recently at Kilpatrick Court Residential Aged

On behalf of the Lake Macquarie community, I congratulate Southlakes U3A on reaching an incredible milestone, namely, its 10th anniversary.

U3A's motto, "Learn, Laugh, Live", is more than just words; it's a reflection of the vibrant, welcoming, and inspiring community this organisation has built. Over the past decade,

I congratulate Dr Alyce Barnes, who has recently been awarded the highest civic honour, named the 2025 Lake Macquarie Ambassador. Dr Barnes is a University of Newcastle researcher who co-led the internationally acclaimed "Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered" program. This world first physical activity intervention program aims to strengthen

Politics isn't a subject you'd typically expect to find in a children's book, but Lake Macquarie author/illustrator Sheree Chambers has managed to produce a picture book on democracy that's informative, factual and fun. Titled 'You Can Be Prime Minister', Sheree's book employs literary tactics such as rhyme, rhythm and

Since the mid-70s the Toronto Amateur Sailing Club [TASC] has been a flagship of the Lake Macqaurie community and was recently recognised in the 2025 Lake Mac Awards, being highly commended in the Community Group of the Year category. Built by volunteers on reclaimed land, the clubhouse was constructed from donated materials, including repurposed