Pat Conroy (Charlton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I congratulate the mayor of Lake Macquarie, Jodie Harrison, and Lake Macquarie City Council for their tremendous efforts to prepare our region to host the 48th International Children's Games, the first of its kind to be held in the Southern Hemisphere. As a recognised member of the International Olympic Committee, the games are the largest multisport youth games in the world for athletes between the ages of 12 and 15 years. It will run from 6 to 11 December this year, when the best of the best young sports stars from Australia and the world will come to Lake Macquarie to compete in their chosen sports. But, as is the case with the Olympics, it is not just about the competition; it is about spreading understanding of other cultures and giving competitors, supporters and spectators an opportunity to meet new people from right across the globe.

Athletes from over 90 cities in Australia and from across the world are expected to compete at the games. They will come from cities as far-reaching as Nairobi in Kenya, Alkmaar in the Netherlands, Los Angeles in the USA and Taipei in Taiwan, all of whom have already accepted the invitation to take part. It gives residents of Lake Macquarie great pride to know their home will be the showcase for this event. Our first-class sporting facilities and our breathtaking landscape, including the largest saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere, will be on show for the world to see. I congratulate Jodie and the council for bringing them to our town.