Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)— Congratulations to Associate Professor Matthew Dun from Dudley, who was recognised as the Lake Mac Ambassador Award for outstanding contribution to the community at the recent Lake Mac Awards.

In 2018 Professor Dun's daughter Josephine was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). He turned that adversity into an opportunity for others through research at the University of Newcastle.

DIPG presents as a lethal brain tumour in an area of the brainstem known as the pons and in 2018 there were no treatments available. An international clinical trial into DIPG was launched in 2022, based on the research gathered by Matt and his team. This was a huge stride forward for Australian families who were affected by the disease, as they no longer had to travel overseas for treatment trials.

The 'Wish Lab', a bespoke DIPG research space at the University of Newcastle, allows for the testing of drug therapies. RUN DIPG, a charity founded to support research into the disease, was founded by Matt and has raised more than $2 million to search for treatments and a cure. Thank you and congratulations Associate Professor Matthew Dun.

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!