GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (09:38):
Recently the Governor-General announced that Jennifer Macaulay of Portarlington was one of two people to be awarded the honorary medal in the general division of the Order of Australia. Jenny is a long-term resident of Portarlington. She has shown great leadership within her community and has played a founding role in so many important community programs, including the Portarlington Mussel Festival, Portarlington Neighbourhood House and the Northern Bellarine International Women’s Day program.
Many of Jenny’s contributions to the community are framed around her two passions: art and education. She has brought her considerable energy to the Port Arts Network, which has been the launching pad for many local art, literary and musical and drama events. She established the Portarlington Art and Garden Trail and the haiku trail at Point Richards. Over many years Jenny has also facilitated drawing and painting classes and writing groups.
Her volunteer contributions have enriched so many people’s lives. Back to School for Seniors is a good example of a much-loved, always-oversubscribed program which covers poetry, writing, literature and much more. I know that Jenny would want to acknowledge that she has worked side by side in much of this work with her partner Lorraine Stokes OAM.
Together they have made an outstanding contribution to our local community.