ADJOURNMENT
Ms CLAYDON (Newcastle—Deputy Speaker) (19:45): I rise today to congratulate the outstanding winners of the 2026 Newcastle Hospitality and Tourism Awards. These awards recognise the businesses and individuals who go above and beyond to showcase the very best of our city. Every visitor welcomed, every memorable meal served, every exceptional experience created and every event delivered contributes to Newcastle's growing reputation as one of Australia's premier visitor destinations.
Congratulations to: EDL Consulting, named Industry Support Partner of the Year; Quest Newcastle, Inclusive Tourism and Hospitality Operator of the Year; Newy Food Adventures, Best New Visitor Economy Business; MOA and co., Excellence in Sustainability; Newy Tour Co., Best Tourism Experience; Bistro Penny, awarded Culinary Excellence; Quest Newcastle West, Outstanding Accommodation Provider; Emily Box from Young Street Hotel, Rising Star; Stewart Ford from the Newcastle Cruise Ship Volunteers, Customer Service Champion; Quest Newcastle and Quest Newcastle West, Employer of the Year; and Linc Horton from Newcastle Airport, Industry Leader of the Year.
These winners represent the very best of Newcastle's visitor economy. Through innovation, dedication and exceptional service, they are creating jobs, strengthening local businesses and ensuring visitors leave our cities with memories worth sharing. The passion and professionalism demonstrated by this year's winners shows why Newcastle continues to grow from strength to strength as a destination.
Finally, I extend my sincere congratulations not only to the winners but to every nominee and all the finalists. Simply being recognised among such an outstanding field is an achievement in itself. I'd also like to acknowledge one of Newcastle's outstanding local businesses, Acrobat Removals, based in Sandgate.
Recently recognised at the Hunter Region Business Awards, Acrobat Removals has demonstrated what local businesses can achieve through hard work, innovation and an unwavering commitment to customer service. Running a successful business is never easy. It takes vision, resilience and the ability to adapt while continuing to put customers and employees first.
Recognition through the Hunter Region Business Awards reflects not only commercial success but the contribution businesses make to strengthening our local economy and creating employment opportunities. Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of Newcastle. They support local families, sponsor sporting clubs, invest in our communities and help make our city such a vibrant place to live and work.
To the entire team at Acrobat Removals, congratulations on your well-earned recognition. I'd like to take this opportunity to recognise one of Newcastle's outstanding young sporting talents. In August, Phoenix Irvine will represent Australia at the Under 16 Men's Water Polo Championships in Croatia, an incredible achievement that reflects years of hard work, discipline and dedication to his sport.
To earn selection in an Australian representative team is no small feat. It requires countless early mornings, late night training sessions, sacrifices by families and coaches, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Phoenix has already demonstrated that he has the talent to compete with the very best young athletes in the world.
As he prepares to pull on the green and gold, he will carry not only Australia's hopes but the pride of Newcastle with him. On behalf of the people of Newcastle, I congratulate Phoenix on this well-deserved achievement and wish him every success in Croatia. That's just some of the amazing talent that is in Newcastle City, from our very best in the tourism sector through to the very best of our small medium-sized businesses and to the most extraordinary emerging talent of athletes.
Each year, like many members in this House, I get to host a local sporting championship event, and I had the honour of meeting Phoenix and many of the water polo champions from Newcastle. It's a sport with a very strong following in Newcastle. There are a lot of very dedicated families who have been growing that sport over generations.
You meet the champions today, and their parents were champions of yesterday. That's just some of the amazing talent that we get to call part of our Novocastrian spirit.