2021 LAKE MAC AWARDS

Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown)—I attended the 2021 Lake Mac Awards, which ever year recognises some of the leading lights of our local community. Lake Macquarie is home to some truly extraordinary people, who give a lot of themselves to benefit our community. The 2021 Lake Mac Ambassador is Jonathan Power, a disability services advocate who has established Empowered Community Services in Lake Macquarie. Residents of the Charlestown electorate were among those honoured. Christine Speer, commander of the Lake Macquarie Emergency Service Unit, was named Volunteer of the Year. After everything she and the local SES have done to support our community in recent times, it is an award well-earned. I salute her for her tireless efforts. Jessica Conneely, director at Dance4wellbeing, was awarded the Lake Mac Arts Leader prize. Dance4wellbeing are dance and movement leaders in arts health for community and care providers. The service offers programs for over-55s which are inclusive, artistic and easily accessible. Congratulations to all those recognised at the Lake Mac Awards. People like this are why I'm so proud to be a part of the Lake Macquarie community.

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!