John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Bennelong prides itself on those who go above and beyond to achieve their dreams and those who serve others before serving themselves. Helen Brownlee is one proud local who has been rewarded in the recent Queen's Birthday honours. She has devoted much of her life to sport and improving female participation rates in sport and at the Olympics. Helen has participated in competitive canoeing, winning Australia's first international slalom medal. Helen was a judge at the 1972 Munich and 1988 Seoul Olympics and remained a member of the competition jury at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics. Helen is the first woman to be granted life membership of the Australian Olympic Committee as well as being the first woman elected to the Australian Olympic Committee executive team, including being vice-president since 2013. Helen is also the first female president of the New South Wales Olympic Council, a position she has held since 1990, and has been an executive member of the International Olympic Committee since 1998. Helen has also served on the Oceania National Olympic Committees and has been chair of the Women and Sport Commission and president of Australian Canoeing, the Australian canoe federation. The sport of canoeing has been thankful for the work and service of Helen Brownlee as well as the many females who have chosen canoeing and gotten involved in the sport because of Helen's commitment and dedication. Helen, congratulations on this award and thank you for all you have done for your sport and our community.