Media Release
26 January 2015
Australia Day marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove in 1788. Nearly six weeks later that same year, the first colonial settlement on Norfolk Island was established.
On Australia Day, we celebrate our modern nation and its diversity across all Australian states and territories.
While I am disappointed to not personally be on Norfolk Island today, I wish to take the opportunity to recognise the importance of community service and more specifically, that the ethos of community service is undeniably strong on Norfolk Island. Many people do so much.
With that in mind, I recognise the following people for their own community service, as representatives of the organisations to which they belong and as representatives of the broader community.
- Loretta Boler Rebecca Christian Doug Creek
- Peter Davidson
- Leslie Edward
- Hadyn (Teddy) and Rose Evans
- Melinda Hassen
- Dale Howe
- Maureen King
- Cheryl (Sarlu) LeCren
- Jack Marges
- Mike Perkins
- Seventh Day Adventist Church
- Louise Tavener
- Naomi Thompson
- Tracey Yager
I also wish to recognise achievement today, with a well-deserved focus on the youth of Norfolk Island.
- Andre Forrester
- Members of the Norfolk Island Central School—2014 Years 7 and 8 Debating Team (Vanessa Brown; Sophie Ellem; Amelia Murray and Branker South).
His Honour the Hon. Gary Hardgrave