Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Berowra electorate is home to around twenty different scouting groups, with boys and girls learning life skills and the value of contributing to their community. One of our fantastic local scouting groups is 1st Asquith. In recent years, Asquith has produced three Queen's scouts. I've also had the honour of awarding the Australian Scout Award to Thomas Bury of 1st Asquith. I've seen the positive impact that the scouts can have, including the work of Will Bury, who organised a Cancer Council fundraiser through the local soccer club's yellow sock day, and Kateyln Cleary, who, during COVID, organised a fundraiser for local healthcare workers and was named New South Wales Scout of the Year in 2020. The group's accolades are a testament to the work of people like David McFarlane, Mary Jo Ison and David Pattinson.

At my recent visit to 1st Asquith, we talked about the group's plans to set up a rover crew, providing scouting opportunities for 18- to 26-year-olds. Another thing we talked about was the state of the facilities, which are shared with pastors Peter and Ejay Mbakwe and their congregation at the Awesomerock Church, along with other community groups. The toilets and showers at the hall are rundown and in urgent need of repair. They were built in the 1980s and are largely suited men. This doesn't represent the scouts of 2024. I've been pleased to support Asquith scouts the entire time I've been a member, and I'll be on their side to ensure they can continue to develop the next generation of leaders in our area.

The Hawkesbury River Dragons are a fantastic local sporting club in our community. The club is based at Brooklyn and started small in 2011, but, since that time, membership has grown, with more than 40 members joining in the last two years alone. The club's successes have continued to grow too, with members competing right across Australia, recently placing fourth overall in the 2024 Region v Region Regatta.

Recently, I went out on the water with the Hawkesbury River Dragons at one of their regular training sessions and got a crash course on a sport which dates back 2,000 years. While there, I heard from President Steph Hague, Kavita Kuczynski and Helen Wood, along with Beverly, Jane, Leanne, Ryan, Vio, Martin and so many others about their love of being on our beautiful Hawkesbury River.

I also heard about the state of their current storage facilities. I saw the old shed where they store their equipment. It isn't what the club needs as more and more people recognise the physical, mental and social wellbeing benefits of being part of an active group like the Hawkesbury River Dragons and as that great club continues to grow. The Hawkesbury River Dragons presented me with an idea, a well thought out, modest but practical storage solution. So, while I'm awaiting for the Hawkesbury River Dragons' call up to lead them to success at their next competition—I think I'll be waiting a while for that call!—I'll be working on a plan to support this great local club to get the facilities it needs so it can continue bringing our community together and bringing that great competitive spirit that the 2,000-year-old sport of dragon boat racing has. As they tell me, life's short, paddle hard.