Sally Sitou (Reid, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to recognise two extraordinary community sporting institutions in my electorate, the Drummoyne Rowing Club and the Rhodes parkrun. They are different in form, one on the water and one along the waterfront, but they share something important. They are powered by volunteers. They bring people together and show what community sport is all about.

Established in 1919, Drummoyne Rowing Club has operated continuously in Iron Cove for more than a century. It is one of Sydney's oldest community sporting institutions and a true anchor on the Parramatta River foreshore. The club is a community driven organisation, not-for-profit, self-funded through memberships, grants and fundraising and powered almost entirely by volunteers. I want to thank Steve Burke, the president of the club, for his decades-long association with the club and for inviting me to attend a regatta recently. With more than 250 members aged from 13 to 83 and a strong majority of women and girls participating, the club reflects the diversity and inclusiveness that we value across our community. I'm told that rowing is a sport that really gets into your blood, and I met so many members who have been part of the club for decades, generations of families who were there rowing alongside each other.

I want to acknowledge three remarkable members. Graeme Wearne joined Drummoyne in 1969 and at 83 is still training and competing. He was a national champion, representing Australia at the 1979 world championships, and recently collected five medals at the New South Wales Masters Championships. He served as club president from 1980 to 1995 and remains a regular presence, proving, as he says, that, 'The older I get, the better I become'. Kathleen Hextell completed a Learn to Row program at Drummoyne in 2006, and she's been at the club ever since. She has poured thousands of volunteer hours and has helped hundreds of people get involved in the sport. I also want to acknowledge Kai Sakakibara, a champion BMX rider who suffered a serious injury in 2020. As part of his recovery, Kai took up pararowing at Drummoyne. His time there showed what an inclusive para program they run.

Last Saturday my son, Max, and I joined local residents at the Rhodes parkrun. It was so much fun. There were people there of all ages and all backgrounds. There were super fast runners and some slower walkers all participating in this great community event. They were part of something special. Rhodes parkrun was established in 2015 and is a free weekly five-kilometre walk, jog or run held every Saturday morning around the Rhodes Waterfront and Bicentennial Park. And for many people, parkrun is not just an exercise; it's a fixture in their social calendar, a chance to meet with their friends, connect and have a cup of coffee afterwards. It's also a great opportunity to get fit and look after your mental health.

It's one of the most popular parkruns in Sydney, regularly attracting more than 600 participants. Since its inception, more than 24,500 people have completed the course, recording more than 190,000 finishers. None of this happens by accident. Rhodes parkrun is delivered entirely by volunteers. More than 1,800 volunteers have assisted from course set up and marshalling to timing, barcode scanning, results and tail walking. Thank you to the run director team: Mark and Anilda Lehane, Adrian and Annette Ferris, Mike and Anna Richardson, Declan and Lorraine Ruane, Nicole Petrin, Debbie Kang, Shiona Will and Nancy Yan. They do an incredible job leading the parkrun each Saturday.

Rhodes parkrun supports young people by who are completing their Duke of Edinburgh award, helping them to build their confidence. I commend all the volunteers, members, participants and supporters and thank them for everything that they do for our community.

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