Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to commend Lalie Conway from my electorate of Robertson, who is a rising young tennis star on the Central Coast. Lalie is only 12 years old. She attends Kincumber High School and is in year 7. She has a strong passion for tennis and trains multiple times a week to ensure that she is in peak physical and mental shape for her matches. Lalie lives with autism and several other intellectual disabilities but does not let these matters get in the way of her sporting ambitions. She has also combated periods of ill health in 2023; however, she's charging ahead with her tennis career.

Lalie will play at the Australian tennis championships PWII in Melbourne, representing New South Wales, this year, where I am sure she will play outstandingly and make us all proud. Of special note is that Lalie represented the Central Coast at the state tournament for the Special Olympics, where she placed third. I congratulate Lalie on her success with tennis, overcoming challenges throughout her life and continuing to maintain a positive outlook.

To Lalie's mother, Nicole Conway: from speaking to you the other day, you are doing absolutely marvellous job managing Lalie's busy and demanding schedule with her tennis career. It was a real delight talking with you recently about all of Lalie's sporting successes and accomplishments and what we can look forward to in the future. I'll be closely watching Lalie's sporting career over the coming years.