John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

One of the great joys of this job is getting to present grants to young aspiring sportspeople through the Local Sporting Champions grants scheme. This excellent program provides funds for local athletes to travel and compete in tournaments around Australia and internationally. This gives our local competitors the experience that will allow them to become world-beaters.

Last month, I was delighted to hand out another eight awards to deserving young athletes. Bennelong's position between two rivers clearly dictates our sporting trends. Six of these athletes are participating in water sports. We will be represented particularly well at the Australian Open Water Swimming Championships, where Robert Thorpe, Benjamin Crook and Eden Horne will be showing what Bennelong's locals can do. Additionally, Tara Ogilvie will be competing in the Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Trials, and Charlotte Stanwix and Bianca Camroux will be competing against each other in rival teams at the Australian dragon boating championships. Back on dry land, we have Amy Wolken playing volleyball at the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup and Suzanne Porter at the all schools cricket championship, holding up Bennelong's end in the huge growth in women's cricket in Australia. I would like to congratulate all of these deserving competitors. I hope this small contribution will allow you to chase your goals, make friends and embody the spirit of competition and sport along the way. Congratulations and good luck.

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