Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to celebrate three outstanding sports clubs right across my electorate of Bennelong. I'd first like to welcome home the Ryde Dragon Boat Club's Auroras, who represented Australia at the 17th World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Germany recently. Seventeen young individuals engaged in a rigorous training schedule, which they managed alongside school, work and interpersonal commitments. This year, the championships were the largest ever, with 4,000 athletes from 33 countries. Almost all of the Ryde Dragon Boat Club's Auroras who were competing achieved a bronze, silver or gold medal, with some participants being as young as 16. And this was a club that only started during COVID—a young club, sending athletes across the world, winning gold, silver and bronze for Australia. Congratulations to them. It's so important to recognise that these events, and all this training and this travel, cannot happen without the dedication of families, volunteers and staff, including head coach George Dimech and chair Corina Wotherspoon, so a massive shout-out to them.

And it doesn't stop there. I can let the House know that the Lane Cove Swim Club, based at the Lane Cove aquatic centre, was recently named Club of the Year in the metropolitan category by Swimming New South Wales. This 2025 accolade comes hot on the heels of their huge win in 2024, where they were crowned Australian swim club of the year. Whilst these are outstanding testaments to the club's extraordinary approach, they come as no surprise. The Lane Cove Swim Club has grown exponentially since COVID and has quickly become the largest club in New South Wales and the third-largest swim club in Australia. The club has produced champions who personify the bright future of swimming, like national medallists Eliza Damian and Harrison Reid.

President Joshua Baker, who led his team to its accolades, was asked how the club achieved its feats, and he said that they're not there for the widespread fame and fortune; he said they are inextricably linked to their community—and Lane Cove is a fantastic community, which I am now so lucky to represent. There's no doubt about that link, because inclusivity is paramount to their club. They cater for any swimmer, from babies to the elderly. All Lane Cove residents are given an opportunity to stay active.

Mr Baker recently shared with me the story of Samantha Pratt, who has lived a story of inspiration, dedication and come-back. Supported by the New South Wales Institute of Sport Para Unit and head coach Jacob Curcio, Samantha followed a hiatus from swimming with spectacular performances at the 2025 Australian Short Course Championships, claiming a gold and a silver medal. I couldn't be more proud of the Lane Cove swimming club, as both a model sports club and a leader in community engagement—from those who just want to dip their toe in and give swimming a go for a bit of exercise, to those who do it competitively.

Another great community club is the Eastwood Rugby Club—the Woodies. And didn't they have a great season in 2025? The Woodies club is built on excellence and development and young talent. It's a club with a very strong connection to Eastwood and Bennelong. The Woodies are renowned for fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging, which is essential to making sure that our young local athletes stay active and are supported.

For years, the club has been actively investing in the development of their players, and this year it has met with great results on the field. At the junior level, both the under-15 and under-17 teams reached their respective finals, with the under-15s crowned state sevens champions at Mudgee. Their success was guided by coach Matt Gonzalez, an Australian Olympic sevens representative.

And there was the big one: the Woodies celebrated winning the Colin Caird Shield, the club's first premiership in a decade. This was a true team effort, right across the club, led by coach Graeme Harrison and captain and clubman of the year Ben Rosada, who also celebrated his 150th game for the Woodies earlier this season. Lachie Shelley is another remarkable young talent, who finished as the top try-scorer across the Shute Shield competition.

I'll also give a shout-out to those in the women's rugby program at the Woodies, who have continued to build momentum and grow. They are currently preparing for the Dubai sevens.

The Ryde Dragon Boat Club, Lane Cove Swim Club and Eastwood Rugby Club have embodied the spirit of Bennelong brilliantly. As their MP, I'm determined to continue to represent them and back them, because I know they back our local community.

The House transcript was published up to 20:00 . The remainder of the transcript will be published progressively as it is completed.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Lawrence):  took the chair at 09:30

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