Joel is an accomplished actor, writer, director and producer. More importantly, he is an inspiration to all the budding film students and artistic people of Blacktown City and across Western Sydney. Joel has achieved what many people dream of, going from filming in his backyard to Australia's small screen and then onto the big one—Hollywood. His story is so inspirational. He is proof that people can successfully pursue their dreams and ambitions.

Joel was born in 1974 in Blacktown Hospital to Michael and Marianne, who was a Dutch immigrant. Since 1996 Joel has performed in 48 films, including the Great Gatsby, King Arthur, Star Wars episodes II and III, Ned Kelly, The Thing, Exodus: Gods and Kings and Red Sparrow, and we are awaiting the release of The Green Knight. Joel has appeared in 12 television series, including The Secret Life of Us, as well as eight different stage productions, mainly with the Sydney Theatre Company. When not acting, he has been director, writer or producer of 11 other films. His 24-year career has been action packed, but there is more—some 12 film awards and 50 nominations in Australia and across the world.

Joel is important to Blacktown and western Sydney because he demonstrates the value of a good local education. He attended Hills Grammar and studied drama at the University of Western Sydney and Nepean Drama School. His brother, Nash, is also a very talented producer, stuntman and coordinator. Joel is a very passionate person who believes in giving it his all. He once stated, "I just don't want to do crap movies ... I want to do stuff I'm proud of and want to talk about." Joel's career had a rocky start. He went to drama school and someone told him that he would never be an actor because he had a lisp. Obviously this terrified him at the time, but he ignored that advice and went on to great success.

An inductee to the Blacktown Hall of Fame also requires philanthropic endeavours. Joel is an ambassador for The Fred Hollows Foundation and is a passionate supporter of its work in developing countries and in Australian Indigenous communities. Joel has been to Ethiopia and has raised money for the foundation, which assists in tackling the horror eye disease trachoma—a leading cause of infection-related irreversible blindness. We are proud of Joel, as he inspires us all. He started by making movies as a kid in his backyard in Prospect with his brother, Nash, using their father's video camera. Joel would act, Nash would direct stunts and they would share the writing and directing duties.

From these humble beginnings, Joel has gone from mucking around in the backyard with Nash at the age of 10 through to making blockbuster, mega‑budget massive movies in Europe. Any kid, or adult—or parliamentarian—would dream of that success. Joel Edgerton is truly a legend. He grew up in Blacktown and made it to international significance as an actor on stage and screen, writer, director and producer. He highlights the importance of family by working with his brother, Nash. He honours his parents' legacy and gives to charity. We are all proud of him and we are inspired by his achievements.