Mr CLAYTON BARR (Cessnock) (20:10): It is my great pleasure to speak about three outstanding individuals in the electorate of Cessnock who were recognised with an Australia Day award. First, I speak about Ellena Morris, OAM. I have known Ellena for the best part of 40 years, her sons and I went to school together. She is an absolute champion and always has been. Quite frankly she could have received an OAM 20 years ago for the work she has already done. It is well deserved. Ellena has been recognised for her service to swimming in general and at large but, in particular, for her swimming commitment to people with disabilities. She has taught thousands of people with disabilities how to swim. I see her at the local Cessnock pool on a Saturday morning still teaching free of charge, as she always has done, some of the most difficult and complex kids with real challenges and needs. Her patience is just amazing but she makes it happen.
Not only does Ellena make it happen at the local pool but she takes athletes from their local pool right across the Hunter through to State and national qualifications, and then to the Special Olympics. For 33 years she has supported Special Olympics Australia athletes. She has been the head aquatics coach for the Australian Special Olympics team since 2000, the head of delegation since 2004 and a national swimming classifier since 1994. Ellena has been the founding coach and secretary of the Coalfields United Amateur Swimming Club since 1994 and a swimming teacher for at least 50 years. She has received multiple awards and recognition for her long-term dedication and, I can tell you, she does it all free of charge. She had to start collecting a gold coin donation when the Cessnock council started charging her to use the pool lane at the Cessnock public swimming pool to teach people free of charge. I will leave others to judge that.
The next recipient is John “Jay” Tulloch, OAM. The Tulloch name, of course, means wine. John was recognised for his service to the wine industry. He is a third-generation vigneron. He has been producing wine since 1962 in his role as the third generation of the Tulloch family. Tulloch Wines have been operating for over 125 years, it is four generations now because the children of the Tullochs are now taking over the business. Jay has been president of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association for years and a committee member for 20-plus years. He was awarded a living legend award, imagine having that title beside your name; it is better than being a dead legend, at the Hunter Valley Legends and Wine Industry Awards in 2009. Jay Tulloch is a legend of the industry. Congratulations, Jay Tulloch, OAM.
A special mention to Simon Geraghty, who received a public service medal. Simon has committed his life to public service. Is there a higher calling than public service? He received the medal for outstanding public service in the development of technology platforms providing vital services and access to government services. He was integral in establishing the technology platform that supported the centralised child protection helpline. He is an alumnus of Newcastle university and is a brother alumni. Congratulations. The greatest people on planet earth come from the University of Newcastle. Recently Simon developed the telephony infrastructure system for Service NSW, which receives more than 221,000 phone calls each week. Mr Geraghty and his team established and maintain that system. His life dedication to public service, the greatest calling in life, is congratulated with the public service medal. Ellena, Jay and Simon, you are most deserved of your Australia Day recognition. Congratulations to the three of you.