Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)—Charlestown electorate locals Ann-Maree Hunter and Caryl Lightfoot were among six extraordinary women honoured at the Hunter Wetlands Centre earlier in March for their vital role in establishing the important much-loved site. Ann-Maree and Caryl, alongside fellow trailblazers Jillian Albrecht, Heather Maddock, Teddi McDonald and Peggy Svoboda, were honoured with a Life Membership award by the Shortland-based board. Over the past four decades, these women have made countless selfless contributions to the organisation, a not-for-profit which has worked tirelessly to revitalise the local wetlands—a key environmental asset for the western suburbs of Newcastle. Anne-Maree used her creative talents to design brochures, interpretation signage, merchandise and murals, amongst other services to the organisation. Caryl served in a range of roles, from fundraising, catering, site clean-up, and planting to the more unusual tasks of raising abandoned chicks and chauffeuring endangered ducks. My congratulations to Ann-Maree, Caryl, the other Life Membership recipients, and all of the hard-working volunteers who give so much to our 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!