CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (09:36): Today I want to pay tribute to a remarkable Australian, Bob Montgomery. Bob and his grandson, Tom, recently rode more than 5,000 kilometres, from Broome to Bob's home town of Bowral to raise awareness of motor neurone disease. This was Bob's sixth charity long-distance ride, having previously crossed the country multiple times to raise funds for MND New South Wales.

After 41 days on their bikes, Bob and Tom arrived at Bowral on 2 August, having raised more than $127,000. But, sadly, Bob passed away shortly after. I had the privilege of meeting Bob and Tom before they set off, and I was struck by Bob's humility, his kindness and his extraordinary tenacity in deciding to do a month-long bike ride at 82 years of age.

He spoke plainly about the heartbreaking impact of MND on people he had known, and he simply wanted to do what he could to make a difference. That is such an important Australian spirit: seeing a problem and just wanting to help other people. I have no doubt that he did help them, and not just those who supported him along the way but all Australians living with MND who may benefit from the research and funding that Bob's efforts helped enable.

To his wife, Jenny, and his grandson, Tom, and all his loved ones, I extend my sincerest condolence for your loss. And I encourage everyone to visit bobmontgomery.com.au to support his legacy. Thank you, Bob.

I would also like to recognise some of the other individuals in our community who've made an extraordinary contribution. Earlier this week I was fortunate enough to attend the ceremony of the Sydney City/Eastern Suburbs New South Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards. In particular, I want to pay tribute to Bondi Beach Surf Lifesaver Robyn Farmer, who was named Volunteer of the Year in honour of her years of service as well as her courage and calm in responding to the Bondi Beach terrorist attack that occurred on 14 December.

She is someone who did her work not because she wanted the accolades but because she again wanted to help her community that she is so proud of. Likewise to the COA Bondi Support Meals Team and the 215 volunteers, who were awarded Volunteer Team of the Year for the work they did in the aftermath of that attack. Again, these people—at a time of enormous concern, grief and heartache—turned that energy and that heartache into making a difference and caring for other people and brought enormous comfort at a time of great uncertainty and grief.

Thank you for the work you did at that hardest moment. Tanya Coleman was awarded Adult Volunteer of the Year. She does incredible work at in the Randwick netball space.

I know that so many of my community spend their time there at Randwick netball, and we're very grateful for the work that she and others do. I'll finally mention Ffyon McCabe, for Young Volunteer, and Susie Elelman for Senior Volunteer. Thank you to everyone for their work, and congratulations to everyone who was nominated.

It was an outstanding celebration of what our community cares about, which is looking after each other.