Margaret May (McPherson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Tonight I want to speak about the Local Sporting Champions program, which provides financial assistance towards the cost of travel accommodation, uniforms or equipment for junior sportsmen and sportswomen when competing at an official national sporting organisation endorsed state or national sporting competition. An assessment panel of local community members recently met at my office and undertook the difficult task of selecting the first-quarter recipients of the Local Sporting Champions grants. Phil Willsallen of Metropolitan Funerals, Karen Andrews of Clear Island Waters, who is very active in the local community, Ron Workman OAM from Currumbin RSL, Paul Wyatt from Palm Beach Surf Lifesaving Club and Antoinette Badenoch from the Varsity Lakes Community Resource Centre made up the panel.

The Tobin family of Burleigh Heads received a grant to attend the Australian Judo Federation championships. All three Tobin brothers will represent Queensland Judo. Mark Tobin hopes to defend his Australian national title, Michael Tobin has won the under-16 category three years in a row and hopes to defend his title in the older age group of under-20s and Max Tobin will strive to win an Australian championship title. Heleena Ethell received a grant to compete in the Australian championships for sprint kayaking. Heleena represents both Currumbin Creek Canoe Club and Queensland Canoeing and hopes to be selected to represent Australia at the world championships later in 2009. Madeline Bone received a grant to compete in springboard diving at the Australian Age Championships. Madeline is a member of the Paradise Diving Club. Jordan Clark of Tallebudgera received a grant to represent Currumbin Creek Canoe Club at the national sprint regatta in Champion Lakes, near Perth. (Time expired)