CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Ms CLAYDON (Newcastle—Deputy Speaker) (16:27): I rise today to congratulate the outstanding Newcastle businesses, organisations and individuals recognised at the Business Hunter Awards over the weekend. These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the people driving our local economy forward, creating jobs, supporting their communities, embracing innovation and helping build a stronger Newcastle.
I particularly want to acknowledge the Newcastle winners recognised across a wide range of categories. Congratulations to Soqual Creative Agency in The Junction, recognised for Excellence in Small Business; AVE Technologies in Mayfield East, recognised for Excellence in Medium Business; and Seed People Consulting in Broadmeadow, recognised for Excellence in Micro Business.
Each of these businesses reflects the talent, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit that Newcastle is known for. I also want to acknowledge the Hunter Melanoma Foundation, recognised as Outstanding Community Organisation, and its executive officer, Claudia Tolhurst, who was named Outstanding Employee. Under Claudia's leadership, the foundation is making a real difference in our community, raising awareness of melanoma and helping Novocastrians understand the importance of sun protection and early detection.
Their work is literally saving lives, and our community is the better for it. Congratulations also to SAPHI Shellshock AI, recognised for Excellence in Innovation. Newcastle has always been a city of ingenuity and problem-solvers, and it's fantastic to see local businesses leading the way with new technologies that have the potential to make a real difference.
It was a pleasure to visit the team at S APHI recently and to see firsthand how they're putting a $1.5 million Albanese Labor government grant through the Industry Growth Program to work as they continue to grow and develop their innovative ideas. I also congratulate Beam Bookkeeping, recognised as an Employer of Choice; and Hall & Wilcox, recognised for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion.
Both businesses are proudly based in Newcastle West. These awards remind us that success in business is about more than growth or the bottom line. It's about investing in people, supporting communities, creating opportunities and helping build the kind of city we are all proud to call home.
To all our Newcastle winners, congratulations on this well deserved recognition. Your achievements are a credit to your hard work, vision and commitment, and they showcase the very best of our city. As the federal member for Newcastle, I'm incredibly proud to see local businesses, organisations and individuals receiving the recognition they deserve.
Congratulations again to all the winners. Thank you for everything you do for our community. I look forward to seeing your continued success in the years ahead.