Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Roads, and Minister for Regional Transport) (21:19): I welcome the opportunity to acknowledge and pay tribute to an extraordinary woman, Joan Palmer, who at the age of 102 has been named the 2025 Maitland Local Woman of the Year.
Dr Michael Holland: Congratulations.
Ms JENNY AITCHISON: I acknowledge the interjection. Joan is a truly remarkable recipient of this honour, having dedicated more than seven decades of her life to serving the Maitland and Hunter communities. Joan Palmer moved to Maitland in 1946 as a young schoolteacher, beginning what would become a lifelong commitment to education, community service and leadership. Over the course of 40 years, she served as both a teacher and principal in schools across the Hunter region, including at Vacy, Morpeth, Mayfield West and Scone public schools. Her dedication to fostering young minds and shaping future generations is a legacy that continues to have a lasting impact on generations of our community.
Beyond her service to education, Joan has been a steadfast contributor to various community organisations. She has been an active member of Legacy as a widow since 1949 and continues to be involved in that organisation. Her commitment to supporting the families of fallen service members is truly commendable. Joan was also a foundation member of the Maitland Repertory Society, further demonstrating her dedication to enriching the cultural landscape of our region. Her passion for the arts has helped to build a thriving local theatre community, providing opportunities for countless aspiring performers and creative minds over the years.
One of Joan's most enduring commitments, however, has been to the Maitland Golf Club. She joined in 1947 and was appointed to life membership in 1999 in recognition of her 18 years of service on the committee, including four years as president and nine years as vice‑president, as well as serving as secretary and handicap manager. Even after the amalgamation of the golf club and bowling club in 2003, Joan remained actively involved and her dedication was further recognised when she was appointed joint patron of Easts in 2013, a role that she continues to hold to this day.
Her unwavering commitment to the community, her resilience and her generosity of spirit are qualities that we should all strive to emulate. Upon receiving her award, Joan, with her signature wit, remarked, "It's only taken me 102 years to win!" Her words captured the warmth and wisdom that those who have had the privilege of knowing her have long admired. She is sharp as a tack, although her vision has become impaired over the years. That is the reason she stopped doing the handicapping, but she did pay tribute to the early golf skills of our Federal member, Meryl Swanson, at the awards and had lots of fond memories to share. I also take the opportunity to acknowledge the six other incredible nominees for this year's Maitland Local Woman of the Year award: Montana Duggan, Margaret Enright, Ingrid Heyman, Samantha Kulupach, Angie Ussher and Christine Walmsley. Each of those women has made an extraordinary impact in their respective fields and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to them all.
The Local Woman of the Year Award is an essential initiative celebrating the achievements of women like Joan who, for too long, have selflessly dedicated their time and energy to making a positive difference to our community without recognition. Joan Palmer is the epitome of this spirit, and I am honoured to recognise her outstanding contribution. Together, we can continue to foster an inclusive and diverse community where women's achievements are celebrated and their contributions acknowledged. I thank the Women's Network (Hunter, NSW) for co-hosting the wonderful celebration event earlier this month, and for its ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering women in our region. Most of all, I again congratulate Joanie Palmer, a truly deserving recipient of the 2025 Maitland Local Woman of the Year Award.
