Simon Kennedy (Cook, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to recognise the Richie Walker Aquathlon, organised by the Cronulla Triathlon Club and run last weekend in my electorate. I'd like to particularly thank Steve Papworth, the race organiser and a 30-year police veteran, who's been doing a phenomenal job of organising this event. I'd also like to recognise the president of the club, Adam Stroud, and the vice-president, Luke Targett. This event is held in memory of Richie Walker. Richie was an incredible athlete, a member of the Cronulla Triathlon Club and passed away 39 years ago because of a heart attack in a race in Tamworth. David and Elizabeth Walker, Richie's parents, were there as keen supporters. They've watched this event raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for our local community and the Heart Foundation.

I also want to acknowledge my mate Glenn Gorick, who, with me, won the state champions of the teams event. It may have been that there was only one entry, but, Glen, I'm proud of you anyway. I also want to note that this is a beautiful event that actually brings people together and keeps them healthy in my community. The Cronulla Triathlon Club has a proud history, with seven world champions—more than many countries—and I congratulate them on their achievement.

Late in 2025, our community took an important step forward with the first community domestic and family violence roundtable. It was held in partnership with The Family Co. This roundtable was about listening, identifying gaps and strengthening the local response to domestic and family violence, an issue that affects far too many families and takes too many lives. I want to sincerely thank everyone who attended and contributed their time and expertise.

In particular, I want to acknowledge Ashleigh Daines, the CEO of The Family Co., and Belinda Harrison from The Family Co. for their leadership. They provide the central hub that pulls together domestic violence support right across the Sutherland Shire. Also in attendance were other NGOs from our community who play a critical role: Vicki Sherry, the CEO of Hopefield; Bernadette Hoy, the coordinator of Orana Women's Health; Liza Barlow, the manager of homelessness and housing services for the St George and Sutherland areas at St Vincent de Paul; and Mark Soper, the manager of Salvos Miranda Housing. I also wish to acknowledge the local councillors and police representatives who attended as well as the state member Eleni Petinos, for her leadership. This roundtable was not just about talk but about action. It was a first step where we set actions that we want to keep meeting on every quarter to see how we achieve them. Now that the first step is done, we need to ensure this work continues to make sure we improve domestic violence responses in the Sutherland Shire.

I would also like to congratulate an outstanding local achievement on the world stage. Michael Dickson, a former student of Kirrawee High School is a proud local from my electorate, and yesterday he did something amazing. He helped win a Super Bowl for the Seattle Seahawks, becoming Australia's newest Super Bowl champion. Michael's journey from the shire to the NFL is an extraordinary one. It speaks to talent, discipline and persistence. It's a powerful reminder to young people in Cook and right across Australia that big goals are possible, even if the path to them is unconventional. Kirrawee High School, his teachers, coaches and family can be immensely proud of what Michael has achieved. I now know our community will be following his career with great interest. I saw that the one thing he wanted to do when he won was to celebrate with chips and chicken salt and a chicken parmy. I can't think of a more Australian way to celebrate that achievement.

Whether it's local sport, community safety or international sporting success, these stories all reflect the same thing: a community that supports one another, celebrates effort and strives to do better. I'm proud to represent the people of the Sutherland Shire, and I thank those who continue to make our country such a strong and caring place to live.

I also wish to acknowledge several local community organisations in my electorate that have recently benefited from grants and, more importantly, to recognise the volunteers who make these initiatives possible. At Saint Luke's, Miranda, a volunteer grant has helped support the annual youth camp. This is a longstanding community initiative that gives people a positive, safe and memorable experience, while allowing volunteers to focus on mentoring, leadership and building connection. Programs like this strengthen confidence, resilience and community spirit in our next generation.

At Lilli Pilli School, a community led garden project has been supported through a grant to help get it off the ground. These projects bring students, parents and the broader community together, teaching practical skills, environmental responsibility and teamwork while creating a shared space for the whole community can be proud of.

At Marine Rescue, Botany Bay and Port Hacking, a grant has helped fund and the support the purchase of new radios. Marine Rescue brings together volunteers from right across my electorate to protect Port Hacking and Botany Bay. I want to place on record my thanks to these volunteers for the critical work they do, often in challenging circumstances. I also want to acknowledge Marine Rescue for their work on the weekend in the Port Hacking Putters launch on the weekend. It was a lovely event celebrated by 20 or 30 boats. People were dressed up in all kinds of fancy dress and it was a phenomenal event.

I'd also like to talk about e-bikes. E-bikes in my local community have been very dangerous and have helped create community damage. Recently at Bellingara netball courts, volunteers training hundreds of local girls playing netball have been harassed by e-bike riders coming onto these courts, vandalising the courts and abusing the volunteers and parents. We also saw similar scenes recently at Cronulla Golf Club. So I want to applaud the New South Wales state government for starting to get serious on illegal e-bike use. Yes, we want kids on bikes but we can't have vandalism and we can't have people risking their lives and health, damaging property. It's beyond the time that we saw action and I thank the New South Wales government for acting.

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