Dr Nargis Banu is a highly distinguished academic and community leader in Blacktown. Dr Banu was born in Bangladesh and migrated to Australia in 1994.

Nargis has impressive academic qualifications with two masters degrees, and in 2004 she completed a PhD in environmental soil chemistry at the University of Sydney. Dr Banu has served as an environmental scientist at Sydney Water for nearly 20 years.

Dr Banu moved to Blacktown in 2004 where she has made an enormous commitment to our multicultural community. She is a long-serving broadcaster at SWR 99.9 FM on the Voice of Bangladesh, the president of the Voice of Bangladesh Networks Australia, a member of the Department of Home Affairs women's reference group and a member of the Blacktown City Council multicultural and environmental advisory committees.

Nargis has been recognised by many community awards for her outstanding contribution to Blacktown sporting and cultural and multicultural activities.

I thank Nargis for her wonderful contribution.