Ted O'Brien (Fairfax, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Lightning struck the Boondall entertainment centre on Sunday afternoon. It was the semifinals of the National Netball League, and the reigning champions, the Sunshine Coast Lightning, won. They beat the Firebirds, admittedly in a nailbiter by just one point, 56-57. I confess I am a Sunny Coast local and I'm therefore a little bit parochial. I'm also a card-carrying supporter of Lightning, but that is not why I rise in the House today. I want to pay tribute to Sunshine Coast Lightning not just for their latest win but to acknowledge how they conduct themselves on and off the court. They are a united team of high-performing individuals whose contribution to the local community is every bit as large as their contribution to the game. Indeed, they hold themselves with such dignity and also such humility when they win that the Sunshine Coast Lightning are role models not only for young up-and-coming netball players but for all of us, and I wish them luck in the weeks ahead. Go the Lightning!

See this speech in context