Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The Daily Examiner's Clarence Valley Sports Awards showcase the achievements of the many great athletes in the Clarence Valley. In what has been an extremely challenging year for many, I'd like to recognise the efforts of this year's winners across 13 categories. The Senior Sportsperson of the Year went to Mitch Christiansen, who won three silver medals at the New South Wales Athletics Para Championships. The Masters Sports Award went to Laurelea Moss, who won two gold medals at the National Cyclist Masters, where she was named Women's Champion of Champions. Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year went to Hayden Ensbey, a great local cricketer and rugby league player. Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year went to Andrea Thomson, an outstanding swimmer, who recently broke eight South Grafton High records. Andrea also won the People's Choice Award. The Holly Butcher Memorial Volunteer of the Year went to Tim Ryan, for his work across several Lower Clarence sporting groups and organisations for the past 25 years. Club of the Year went to the Harwood Cricket Club, who were the Lower Clarence premiers this year. Team of the Year went to the Grafton Tigers AFL seniors, who, after claiming the wooden spoon two years in a row, this year won their first match in 1,183 days, with a 17-point victory, and went on to win the major and minor premierships. Coach of the Year went to Adi Campbell, who took the Grafton Tigers from last to first in a single season. The Ernie Muller Award for Contribution to Sport in the Lower Clarence went to Matt Farrell, who is currently the Maclean Footy Club president, Lower Clarence Bowling Club director, Lower Clarence Sports Council representative and Iluka Cricket Club treasurer. The Max Godbee Award for Contribution to Sport in the Clarence Valley went to Ken Maughan, who is the Grafton Rowing Club captain, with a history in sport dating back almost 60 years. Sports Contributor of the Year went to Don Freeman. I'd like to also acknowledge Bill North and his organising committee for putting the event together.

I'd like to acknowledge St Brigid's Primary School in Kyogle, who recently won the national Reconciliation Story Award and the Best Cultural History Story Award in the Wakakirri competition. Through the program, schools like St Brigid's create a 'story-dance' using a combination of dancing, creative movement and acting to music. St Brigid's could not have made the performance without the guidance of local Aboriginal elders Uncle Wayne and Aunty Vera Walker. St Brigid's story represented the impact of the bushfires in the past year as well as traditional perspectives on learning and land management practices. Uncle Wayne and Aunty Vera's granddaughter Tahnesha was also in the production. The school used the 'Gondwana Dreaming' music by Steven Bond. Congratulations to the 67 students involved, from kindergarten through to year 6, who gave up many lunchtimes to practise their performance. Also a massive congratulations and thanks to the Indigenous education worker, Sonja McNab; facilitator Hayley Kennedy; coordinator Till Beetge; and community member and mother Emma Rixon. And thank you to St Brigid's for representing our region so proudly.

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