Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories) Share this | Hansard source

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a bit of a sports nut, and during the recent Olympics and Paralympics there were many sleepless nights. I'm incredibly proud of all of our Australian athletes but even more proud of those that hail from the mighty Eden-Monaro. In particular, I want to acknowledge Nikki Ayers and Reece Langdon. Hailing from Dalmeny, Nikki and her rowing partner, Jed Altschwager, clinched Australia's first-ever gold medal in Paralympic rowing in Paris. They triumphed in the PR3 mixed double sculls—an event which was held on the Paralympic stage for the first time and features one male and one female who have arms, trunk and leg function and row with two oars. Nikki turned to rowing after she suffered some lifechanging injuries during a Rugby Union match in 2016, undergoing 16 surgeries. Nikki, you are an inspiration and a role model and you have made us all incredibly proud. Reece Langdon is another incredible athlete dominating the world stage. Reece from Goulburn took out bronze in the men's 1,500-metre T38 final at the Paralympics. When he was six years old, he contracted a debilitating virus and had to learn how to walk again. From that struggle came an amazing athlete. Congratulations, Reece, on your determination and success.

I want to give a shout out to another Eden-Monaro local doing something spectacular: 23-year-old David Chidgey, who is one of Australia's top bull riders. For those who don't know much about bull riding, you need to get to a country show or a local rodeo. The sport involves attempting to hang onto a bucking bull for eight seconds with one hand. David grew up on a farm between Bungendore and Braidwood and earlier this year was selected for a scholarship to Odessa College in Texas. He'll move back to the States to pursue his dreams next year. Well done, David. You've clearly got the guts and the talent, and I look forward to seeing you succeed on the world stage.

A huge congratulations to Queanbeyan City Football Club, who have achieved their long-awaited goal of promotion to the National Premier League. The club took out this year's grand final a few weeks ago, capping off an amazing year. I look forward to seeing both Queanbeyan teams in NPL next year. Good luck to the Monaro Panthers and Queanbeyan City. It will be one for the local calendar, so get down and support both of the teams.

The thing I love most about the Eden-Monaro is its people. I'm constantly blown away by the clever, kind, hardworking and creative things they do. One of those is business owner Rachel Whittaker, who owns a business selling accessible bras for people with a disability. She started Bra Easy after her daughter Jamie-Lee McNamara developed a brain tumour and experienced strokes at the age of nine. She later struggled to put on a bra, so Rachel set about to design one which she could put on herself—one with velcro on each side instead of a wire clasp at the back, which can be put on with one hand. Bra Easy has sold thousands of accessible bras to people with disabilities and those with limited mobility since opening an NDIS-registered online store four years ago. Her sister-in-law, Julie, is now in charge, but thank you, Rachel, for all you've done to make it easier for people with a disability to put on a bra.

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