Aaron Violi (Casey, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It has been such an inspiration to watch our incredible Paralympians represent our nation in Paris over the past fortnight. There were 4,400 athletes from around the world competing in 549 medal events across 22 sports. The Australian Paralympic team returns home with an amazing 63 medal wins, made up of 18 gold, 17 silver, and 28 bronze.

The Paralympics have a special place in our hearts. They represent all that is great about our proud sporting nation. They remind us of the ability sport has to inspire, to motivate and to bring out the best in all of us, and they show what is possible when you dream and dedicate yourself to a goal, despite the challenges you may face.

The Casey electorate has been represented by Healesville local Bridget Murphy, who is competing in the para dressage with her horse, Macey. Bridget is part of an all-female equestrian team and made her Paralympic debut in the grade 2 category—something she has dreamt of since she began riding as a child. Bridget developed her riding skills with the Yarra Valley Equestrian and Mount Evelyn Pony Club and was training at least twice a week with her coach, Monica, in the lead-up to the games.

Seeing Bridget on our screens was a very proud moment for the Yarra Valley, with her whole team based in our community. They live in the Yarra Valley, her horse, Macey, was bred in the Yarra Valley and her coach is from Coldstream. It's so important to remember, as we celebrate these athletes, that there is always a dedicated team behind them—coaches, trainers and support staff who work tirelessly to ensure our athletes have the best possible chance to succeed. Next to their support staff is their families and friends. I don't think that there could be a prouder moment for a parent—for Bridget's parents, but all parents of our para-athletes—than watching their children compete. We should celebrate our athletes and celebrate their families. We all know that so many of the families sacrifice so much as their children are growing up—time and money—so they can chase their dreams. It's a huge honour for Bridget but also a huge honour for her family and her friends who have been following her journey.

Bridget competed in a test on Wednesday evening, and she was then chosen as one of three riders to represent Australia in the team event on Friday evening, alongside Lisa Martin and Stella Barton. She completed her time at the games in the individual freestyle event on Saturday evening. Congratulations, Bridget, on representing Australia and our Yarra Valley at the Paralympics. You earned your place through your dedication and talent. You have made our nation so proud. I'm so looking forward to catching up with you when you are back home, on home soil.

Congratulations to all of our Australian Paralympic heroes. You have inspired a nation, and you've inspired many Australians. I have no doubt that, as we look forward to 2026, there will be some young Australians with some physical challenges that will have seen the Paralympic athletes compete in the last two weeks, and they'll be inspired to compete in 2026. They give hope to the next generation to compete at the Paralympics. That is what we need to continue to build as a society.

I've been lucky enough to play sport my whole life—nowhere near this level, I would say. What I know about sport is that it brings people together. It brings community together, and we need to celebrate. We can sometimes take for granted the journey we've gone on as a society, but we need to celebrate today that every Australian, regardless of their abilities, how they were born or the challenges they've faced, is able to enjoy sport at a community level, at a national level and at a Paralympic level. That is something we should be proud of as a country.

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