Ms CLAYDON (Newcastle—Deputy Speaker) (16:43): Last week I attended the Hunter Surf Lifesaving Awards of Excellence gala dinner to celebrate the amazing work of our surf lifesaving men and women. They do an outstanding job to keep us all safe in the water while also training the next generation of surf lifesavers and providing ongoing education to the public on staying safe in the surf.

Today I pay tribute to the six incredible surf lifesaving clubs in my electorate: Stockton, Nobbys, Newcastle, Cooks Hill, Dixon Park and Merewether. Congratulations to all award recipients, but I want to give a special shout-out to: Max Mietzel from Newcastle, who won junior lifesaver of the year; Stuart Barnett from Dixon Park, who won Facilitator of the Year; Jordyn Haig and Will Munro from Cooks Hill, who won youth volunteer and the under 14/15 athlete of the year; and the Little Rippaz program from Nobbys, who won Community Education Program of the Year for their modified nippers program, which enables children with special needs to get involved with surf lifesaving activities. Heartfelt thanks also go to Newcastle, Cooks Hill and Merewether clubs for the critical lifesaving rescues they performed this season. Thanks also to Newcastle Permanent, who's been a long-term major supporter for surf lifesaving in our region.

Every year surf lifesavers save thousands of lives. Last summer 5,716 rescues were performed across Australia, including 302 from the Hunter Region. These brave men and women are an important fixture on our Aussie beaches. To them we say: thank you