Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)— The 2023 King's Birthday Honours List celebrated 1,192 recipients across Australia, and I would like to congratulate Mr John Conaghan of New Lambton for being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Huntington's Disease is a rare progressive brain disorder caused by a defective gene. This condition, which impacts things like mood, cognition and movement, can be treated but cannot as yet be cured.

It is an understandably devastating diagnosis for patients—which is where John comes in. A senior social worker based at John Hunter Hospital, John has worked with Huntington's patients and their families for nearly forty years, since his first job at a facility in Melbourne in 1985.

John's career has included the 1993 discovery of the gene responsible for the disease. In his role, John serves as both ally and advocate, helping families through the decision of whether or not to test for the gene and supporting patients through the disease's progression.

He links people in need with services that can help and runs support groups. Congratulations to Mr John Conaghan OAM on this well-deserved recognition.

A Community Recognition Notice is an opportunity for an MP to submit a short statement praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Notice, please email and let me know!