STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator CAROL BROWN (Tasmania) (13:44): I rise today to congratulate Jeff Bronstein, who has been named Glenorchy's 2026 Senior Citizen of the year. Jeff is the President of the Tasmanian Transport Museum, a much-loved institution in Glenorchy and the only organisation in Tasmania dedicated solely to preserving our state's transport history. Jeff has played a big role in the Tasmanian Transport Museum and in keeping it going as an important part of the Glenorchy community.

The museum is run entirely by volunteers, with more than 40 people giving their time, and it welcomes around 7,000 visitors each year. I've had the pleasure of seeing firsthand the passion and determination Jeff brings to the museum. Jeff has been a driving force behind the museum's ambitious heritage rail programs.

In December last year, passenger services were extended from Glenorchy to Berriedale, after three years of work by volunteers, including replacing more than 400 rail sleepers. The response has been extraordinary, with services regularly selling out. Jeff is also helping lead plans to take heritage rail further through Hobart's northern suburbs, with the long-term goal of reaching Granton.

Jeff's contribution goes well beyond the work of the museum itself. He has given an enormous amount of his time to preserving Tasmania's transport history and sharing it with the community. The museum is stronger because of his leadership, and Glenorchy is fortunate to have someone so committed to keeping an important part of our history alive.

I congratulate Jeff on his well-deserved recognition and thank him for the time, energy and leadership he continues to give to Glenorchy and to Tasmania. I look forward to seeing the museum's long-term goal realised.