In my electorate of McPherson on the southern Gold Coast we have some absolutely amazing community groups. Today I would like to make special mention of two of those: the Lions Club of Burleigh Heads and the Lions Club of Mudgeeraba. Both of those clubs put on an amazing show of support to our community on Australia Day following our citizenship ceremonies.
The Burleigh Heads Lions Club put on an absolutely awesome barbecue at the end of the citizenship ceremony that was held at the Burleigh Heads RSL. The feedback was that it was top-notch. The sausages were amazing. It was a great way to welcome our newest Australians. That ceremony was held at the Burleigh Heads RSL, and I would also like to give a shout-out to the community of the Burleigh Heads RSL. They do an outstanding job supporting veterans in our community. Over the last couple of years in particular that club has raised so much money to upgrade the facilities of their hall. It looks fantastic and they should be very proud of their efforts. I’d also like to congratulate the Lions Club of Mudgeeraba. Every year for many years now, they have hosted a citizenship ceremony at the Mudgeeraba hall. It’s a very unique ceremony that really touches on the hinterland area of the Gold Coast, Mudgeeraba and the Lions Club. The Mudgeeraba Lions Club hosts the ceremony. I go along as the presiding officer, but it’s conducted like a Lions meeting, so the values and the missions that are associated with the club are certainly on display. Again, they do an amazing job, and it’s a great way to be able to welcome our newest Australians.
We have in our community, as I said at the beginning, so many wonderful community groups. We also have some very amazing individuals that have contributed for many years, sometimes to one organisation but often to many organisations on the Gold Coast. Each year since I’ve been elected, what I have called McPherson Community Achiever Awards, where I recognise those individuals. Whether they be directly from a service organisation, sporting club or local charity, I recognise them for the work they have done to support our community, because, quite frankly, without them we would not be able to help those people who, in some cases, need the most support from their communities. For those individuals, time is running out to get your nominations in for this year. There are three categories of awards. There are the McPherson Community Achiever Award, the McPherson Young Community Achiever Award for people under 25 years of age and the McPherson Surf Life Saving Community Achiever Award.