Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)—Nick Ophir has been a familiar and trusted face at Charlestown Swim Centre for more than three decades, recently retiring after an incredible 41 years of service with Lake Macquarie City Council. Nick began his career as a 19-year-old casual lifeguard at Redhead Beach, before gaining permanent employment in 1985 and later working at Swansea Swim Centre. In 1995, Nick made the move to Charlestown Swim Centre, where he would spend the next 31 years becoming a much-loved part of our local community. During his time at Charlestown, Nick kept countless swimmers safe, performed rescues and watched generations of local children learn to swim. Some went on to extraordinary achievements, including Australian representatives Yvette Rodier and Thomas Fraser-Holmes, a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and two-time Olympian. Perhaps the greatest testament to Nick's long service is seeing children he once watched at the pool return years later with children, and now even grandchildren, of their own. Nick's contribution to Charlestown extends well beyond the pool. I thank him for his remarkable service to generations of local families and wish him all the very best in retirement.

A Community Recognition Notice is an opportunity for an MP to submit a short statement praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Notice, please email and let me know!