Julian Hill (Bruce, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to acknowledge and pay my respects to a fabulous young man from my electorate of Bruce: Mr Tim Disken. In September Tim competed at the Rio Paralympic Games, along with 170 athletes from all states and territories who represented Australia in 15 sports. Mr Disken, in his first outing, returned with not one, not two but three medals, which is an outstanding achievement. He won a gold, a silver and a bronze in swimming.

When Tim returned from Rio I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking to him about his success. Tim is a long-term resident of the suburb of Glen Waverley in my electorate. He was the school captain, some years ago, at the Glenallen School, one of the most well-renowned special schools in the state of Victoria.

The Paralympic team should be proud of their achievements in Rio, which placed Australia fifth in the world—that is, five places better than the Australian Olympic team. I think Tim's personal motto is one which we could all reflect on and consider adopting in this place: go hard or go home.

When I spoke to Tim I asked what he thought his future held. He is enjoying a few weeks relaxation in Victoria but then he will return to Canberra to the Australian Institute of Sport to focus on the World Games and the Commonwealth Games and to plan his future Olympic career. He is a role model to all who seek to achieve in the Paralympics and I think he has great things in store for him in the future.

Mark Coulton (Parkes, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I remind honourable members that they must be in their allocated seat to receive the call.