Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

BlowFly Cricket is a unique institution in our community, operating within the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai & Hills District Cricket Association. BlowFly Cricket is an all-abilities cricket club that gives people with disability the chance to take part in the game and build skills and develop a love of cricket. I recently visited BlowFly Cricket at James Park oval in Hornsby. My bowling was promptly hit for six, and I dropped a few classic catches, but I also managed to score a few runs. Most importantly, I had the chance to meet people who loved the game and the community that surrounds it.

What stands out about BlowFly Cricket is that there's a place for everyone. Some take to the field as players. Others serve as scorers, officials or volunteers or help run the barbecue on the sidelines. It's a club built on participation, teamwork and the simple joy of the love of sport. We're fortunate to have BlowFly Cricket in our part of Sydney, and it's an important part of the sporting life of our community. I want to acknowledge some of the people who make it happen: founder and volunteer manager Mark Rushton; President Shabana Hakim; Secretary Kate Guild; Vice President Bill Peterkin; Club Person of the Year Azaan Hakim; the oldest volunteer, 91-year-old Dougal Graham; Young Volunteer of the Year Riku Leonard; captains Maddie Jones and Ronnie MacKenzie; and Kakra and Penni Yeboah for their leadership in the club's inclusive volunteer program, as well as the dozens of other volunteers, parents, local sponsors and supporters who make running this club possible. May BlowFly Cricket continue to go from strength to strength in our community and around the country in the future.

See this speech in context