Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown)— Women in local government, those elected to represent and those employed to care for their communities, are making a huge difference.

During the last sitting week, here at NSW Parliament House, two of Lake Macquarie City Council's staff were recognised for their work at the Women in Local Government Awards.

The Ministers' Awards for Women in Local Government celebrate the contribution of women to local councils and their communities across NSW. Belinda Thomson, who has worked her way up from assistant to supervisor in the parks and gardens department, received the Alternative Pathways Award.

Shanon Gray, who joined Lake Macquarie City Council as an accountancy cadet, was awarded the Young Achiever's Award and scholarship. Well done, Belinda and Shanon! It was a pleasure to be able to be there to see you accept your awards on Wednesday 21 September, and I can't wait to see what's next in your careers.

These women and their fellow winners and nominees have set a very high standard, and I would like to congratulate them all.

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