I acknowledge His Honour Judge Douglas Raymond Dick, who has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to the law. Doug Dick has given decades of distinguished service to the people of New South Wales, particularly across the South Coast and Southern Region.

He served as a Judge of the Nowra and Milton Local Courts from 1995 to 2010, then as a Judge in Southern Regional NSW from 2010 to 2014. Since 2014, he has continued that service across Batemans Bay, Moruya, Narooma, Bega, Eden and Bombala Local Courts.

The work requires fairness, patience, judgement and respect for every person who comes before the court. Doug Dick has brought those qualities to his work over many years. His contribution has strengthened confidence in the rule of law and ensured that justice is delivered close to home for communities across our region.

His long service is also a reminder of the importance of experienced judicial officers in regional New South Wales. I congratulate Doug Dick on this well-deserved honour and thank him for his outstanding contribution to the law and to the communities of the South Coast.