I want to take a moment to recognise the exceptional professionalism shown by Austin's Funeral Directors, along with all funeral teams across our area. Their work is rarely spoken about, yet it touches families at some of the most emotional and vulnerable moments of their lives.

It is a job I know I could never do, and perhaps that is why I admire it so deeply. When people are facing loss, funeral staff step forward with calm, dignity and compassion. They carry out their duties quietly, respectfully and with a level of humanity that often goes unnoticed.

This includes everyone involved — the receptionists who greet families gently, the arrangers who guide people through decisions no one ever wants to make, the undertakers and bearers who carry out their roles with care, and the behind‑the‑scenes staff who prepare everything with precision and respect. It takes a very special person, and a very special team, to do this work.

I want to express my gratitude to Austin's and to all funeral professionals who support families at the hardest of times. Their kindness, sensitivity and professionalism deserve recognition.