Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (13:53): I rise to congratulate local Hunter resident William Crighton on winning an ARIA award. On Tuesday night William took out the ARIA for the best blues and roots album for his third record Water and Dust. This was his first nomination. He was blown away when his name was read out. William is an outstanding performer who literally is taking Australian music to a new level. It has been a big couple of years for this talented musician, who spent much of the year touring with Midnight Oil across Australia and Europe in their farewell tour and then embarking on his own tour, playing to sold-out concerts and festivals all around Europe.

William is an incredibly talented musician in his own right, but he credits his success to the most important person in his life—his wife, Julieanne, who was also an accomplished musician. Not content with writing and performing, William and his wife, Julieanne, also run the music program at the Cessnock Correctional Centre. Congratulations on this award, buddy. It's well-deserved for all the hard work you've put in over the last couple of decades. I hope you get a bit of rest, a few tins and start the renovation on your house.